While the theory of relative plausibility is presented by Allen and Pardo (2019) as a descriptive theory of the proof process, this commentary discusses their theory as a possible starting point for a prescriptive theory of evidence assessment. Generally, naturalness and simplicity are necessary for the success of such a theory. The theory of relative plausibility is very promising in this respect, as its key concept is the straightforward and intuitive notion of explanation, according to which an explanation is an answer to a “why” question. Still, both the explanatory and the comparative dimensions of relative plausibility are in need of elaboration if one wants to give advice on evidence assessment in terms of Allen and Pardo’s framework. For one thing, it is necessary to examine the epistemological status of the various explanatory criteria regarding their potential as guides to truth or likelihood. Only epistemic (i.e., truth-conductive) criteria should be included in recommendations to fact-finders. Moreover, given the author’s interpretation of the ‘beyond any reasonable doubt’ standard, it is unclear what the comparative dimension amounts to in criminal trials. At least a comparison of the kind involved in the author's account of civil trials standards is absent in their interpretation of BARD. If the comparative dimension of relative plausibility is relevant at all in criminal trials, it must be clarified what is to be compared.

中文翻译：

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相对合理性和证据评估的规范性理论

虽然 Allen 和 Pardo（2019 年）将相对合理性理论作为证明过程的描述性理论提出，但本评论将他们的理论作为证据评估规范性理论的可能起点进行讨论。一般来说，这种理论的成功需要自然和简单。相对合理性理论在这方面非常有前途，因为其关键概念是直截了当和直观的解释概念，根据该概念，解释是对“为什么”问题的回答。尽管如此，如果想要根据 Allen 和 Pardo 的框架对证据评估提出建议，则相对合理性的解释和比较维度都需要详细说明。一方面，有必要检查各种解释标准的认识论地位，即它们作为真理或可能性指南的潜力。在给事实发现者的建议中只应包括认识论（即，真实的）标准。此外，鉴于作者对“排除任何合理怀疑”标准的解释，尚不清楚刑事审判中比较维度的含义。在他们对 BARD 的解释中，至少没有对作者对民事审判标准的描述进行比较。如果相对合理性的比较维度在刑事审判中完全相关，则必须澄清要比较的内容。此外，鉴于作者对“排除任何合理怀疑”标准的解释，尚不清楚刑事审判中比较维度的含义。在他们对 BARD 的解释中，至少没有对作者对民事审判标准的描述进行比较。如果相对合理性的比较维度在刑事审判中完全相关，则必须澄清要比较的内容。此外，鉴于作者对“排除任何合理怀疑”标准的解释，尚不清楚刑事审判中比较维度的含义。在他们对 BARD 的解释中，至少没有对作者对民事审判标准的描述进行比较。如果相对合理性的比较维度在刑事审判中完全相关，则必须澄清要比较的内容。