Principlev1
Generate at least two genuinely plausible alternative
Generate at least two genuinely plausible alternative hypotheses for any phenomenon before testing, then design experiments that can exclude hypotheses rather than merely confirm your preferred one.
Why This Is a Principle
Derives from Mental Models Are Singular by Default (people construct single mental models) and Automatic Pattern Perception (pattern perception subject to confirmation bias). This is Platt's strong inference method as a principle. It prescribes a specific practice (multiple hypotheses, exclusion-based testing) that compensates for single-model thinking and confirmation bias.