Plausibilising

Plausibilising is the process of making something appear plausible or believable. It involves presenting information or arguments in a way that aligns with common sense, established knowledge, or expected patterns, even if the underlying reality might be more complex or uncertain. The goal is to increase the perceived likelihood or credibility of a statement, hypothesis, or scenario.

This concept is frequently encountered in fields such as artificial intelligence, where models are designed to generate text or responses that are plausible to humans. In science and research, plausibilising is a part of hypothesis formation and explanation, where researchers attempt to create models or narratives that fit observed data and theoretical frameworks. In everyday communication, people often engage in plausibilising when they try to convince others of their point of view or explain their actions.

The effectiveness of plausibilising often depends on the audience's background knowledge, biases, and the context of the communication. It does not necessarily guarantee truthfulness, but rather aims to create a convincing impression. Techniques used in plausibilising can include logical structuring, referencing credible sources, using relatable examples, and appealing to common assumptions. The term can also be used in a more critical sense to describe efforts to make something seem reasonable when it is not, such as in propaganda or deceptive arguments.