Abstract: In human scientific cognition and practical activities, scientific prediction plays multiple different roles. Traditional philosophy of science mainly focuses on the methodological value of scientific prediction in the testing and justification of theories or hypotheses; however, with the development of contemporary science and the rise of AI-driven scientific research, the roles of scientific prediction in knowledge discovery and rational action have become increasingly important. By elaborating and demonstrating the multiple roles of scientific prediction and their relationships, this paper proposes a new form of predictivism, which is different from the traditional one and advocates that scientific prediction not only has advantages in theory testing but should also play a greater role in solving complex problems and guiding rational action.

Key Words: Scientific prediction; Theory test; Knowledge discovery; Rational action; Predictivism