Nomological Network

This is an inter-related set of proof points to prove a hypothesis. It’s a little hard to grasp, but it basically means “a mountain of related evidence.”

From Oxford Reference:

A lawful pattern of interrelationships that exists between hypothetical constructs and observable attributes and that guides a researcher in establishing the construct validity of a psychological test or measure.

Two researchers coined the term in 1955, based on the Greek word for law. They stated that a nomological network of evidence for a point should generate testable hypotheses.

“Nomology” is the study of scientific laws. So a nomological network is a group of laws for an argument.

Why I Looked It Up

It came up quite a bit in The Parasitic Mind.

The author doesn’t strictly define it, but as an example he presents a set of evidence to prove that men generally prefer women with an hourglass figure. He provides seven proof points (example: “the hourglass figure has been associated with greater fertility and superior health”), but doesn’t stick to one discipline or methodology.

His points are all over the map – a “network of evidence” for his point. I think the author was saying that even though no single point completely makes the case by itself, all the points together form a solid argument.

He uses the phrase “nomological network of cumulative evidence” several times.