Explanation, Causation and Deduction

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Other Sciences, Philosophy & Social Aspects
Cover of the book Explanation, Causation and Deduction by Fred Wilson, Springer Netherlands
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Fred Wilson ISBN: 9789400952492
Publisher: Springer Netherlands Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author: Fred Wilson
ISBN: 9789400952492
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

The purpose of this essay is to defend the deductive-nomological model of explanation against a number of criticisms that have been made of it. It has traditionally been thought that scientific explanations were causal and that scientific explanations involved deduction from laws. In recent years, however, this three-fold identity has been challenged: there are, it is argued, causal explanations that are not scientific, scientific explanations that are not deductive, deductions from laws that are neither causal explanations nor scientific explanations, and causal explanations that involve no deductions from laws. The aim of the present essay is to defend the traditional identities, and to show that the more recent attempts at invalidating them fail in their object. More specifically, this essay argues that a Humean version of the deductive-nomological model of explanation can be defended as (1) the correct account of scientific explanation of individual facts and processes, and as (2) the correct account of causal explanations of individual facts and processes. The deductive-nomological model holds that to explain an event E, say that a is G, one must find some initial conditions C, say that a is F, and a law or theory T such that T and C jointly entail E, and both are essential to the deduction.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The purpose of this essay is to defend the deductive-nomological model of explanation against a number of criticisms that have been made of it. It has traditionally been thought that scientific explanations were causal and that scientific explanations involved deduction from laws. In recent years, however, this three-fold identity has been challenged: there are, it is argued, causal explanations that are not scientific, scientific explanations that are not deductive, deductions from laws that are neither causal explanations nor scientific explanations, and causal explanations that involve no deductions from laws. The aim of the present essay is to defend the traditional identities, and to show that the more recent attempts at invalidating them fail in their object. More specifically, this essay argues that a Humean version of the deductive-nomological model of explanation can be defended as (1) the correct account of scientific explanation of individual facts and processes, and as (2) the correct account of causal explanations of individual facts and processes. The deductive-nomological model holds that to explain an event E, say that a is G, one must find some initial conditions C, say that a is F, and a law or theory T such that T and C jointly entail E, and both are essential to the deduction.

More books from Springer Netherlands

Cover of the book The Passionate Liberal: The Political and Legal Ideas of Jerome Frank by Fred Wilson
Cover of the book A Critical Companion to Zoosemiotics: by Fred Wilson
Cover of the book Ernst Mach’s World Elements by Fred Wilson
Cover of the book Europe, America, and Technology: Philosophical Perspectives by Fred Wilson
Cover of the book Handbook of Quantitative Forest Genetics by Fred Wilson
Cover of the book Lens Implantation by Fred Wilson
Cover of the book Coastal Lowlands by Fred Wilson
Cover of the book Fertilizer sulfur and food production by Fred Wilson
Cover of the book Historical Climate Variability and Impacts in North America by Fred Wilson
Cover of the book Non-fibrillar Amyloidogenic Protein Assemblies - Common Cytotoxins Underlying Degenerative Diseases by Fred Wilson
Cover of the book Managing and Engineering in Complex Situations by Fred Wilson
Cover of the book The Life of John Lothrop Motley by Fred Wilson
Cover of the book Navigating Safety by Fred Wilson
Cover of the book Trends and Prospects in Motivation Research by Fred Wilson
Cover of the book Recent Advances in Chemistry and Technology of Fats and Oils by Fred Wilson
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy