lakatos-heuristics

Research

Proofs and Refutations method: generate counterexamples, attempt monster-barring, incorporate surviving counterexamples as lemma refinements.

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Lakatos Heuristics

Tactics

counterexample-heuristics
contradiction-derivation

Method

Take the claim as a tentative theorem
Generate counterexamples systematically
For each counterexample, attempt monster-barring (exclude as illegitimate)
If monster-barring fails, incorporate as lemma (refine the claim)
Iterate until claim is robust or abandoned

Budget

Size	Counterexamples	Monster-barring rounds	Lemma incorporations
S	5	2	2
M	12	4	4
L	25	8	8

Orchestration

Dispatch counterexample-generation against the claim
For each counterexample, dispatch monster-barring-attempt
If barring fails, dispatch claim-refinement to incorporate lemma
Repeat until saturation or budget exhausted

Subagents

counterexample-generation
monster-barring-attempt
claim-refinement
contradiction-detection

Available Tactics

Optional, no fixed order; the final leaf is always a sop.

Tactic	When to use
contradiction-derivation	Negate a claim, derive logical consequences step by step, detect whether a genuine contradiction or absurdity emerges.
counterexample-heuristics	Generate counterexamples (monsters), attempt monster-barring, incorporate surviving counterexamples as lemma refinements (Lakatos method).

Available SOPs

Optional, no fixed order; the final leaf is always a sop.

SOP	When to use
claim-refinement	Propose a refined claim that survives counterexamples while preserving maximum explanatory power (Lakatos lemma-incorporation).
contradiction-detection	Evaluate whether a derivation chain has reached a genuine contradiction, absurdity, or inconclusive state.
counterexample-generation	Systematically generate counterexamples (monsters) to a given claim using diverse heuristic strategies.
monster-barring-attempt	Attempt to exclude a counterexample as illegitimate by tightening definitions or preconditions (Lakatos monster-barring).