Full Idea
Maybe to deduce a theorem as an instance of a generalization is more explanatory than to deduce it correctly.
Gist of Idea
Maybe an instance of a generalisation is more explanatory than the particular case
Source
Mark Steiner (Mathematical Explanation [1978], p.32)
Book Reference
'Philosophy of Mathematics: anthology', ed/tr. Jacquette,Dale [Blackwell 2002], p.32
A Reaction
Steiner eventually comes down against this proposal, on the grounds that some proofs are too general, and hence too far away from the thing they are meant to explain.