Single Idea 16807

[catalogued under 14. Science / D. Explanation / 1. Explanation / b. Aims of explanation]

Full Idea

According to the reason model of explanation, to explain a phenomenon is to give a reason to believe that the phenomenon occurs.

Gist of Idea

An explanation gives the reason the phenomenon occurred

Source

Peter Lipton (Inference to the Best Explanation (2nd) [2004], 02 'Reason')

Book Reference

Lipton,Peter: 'Inference to the Best Explanation (2nd ed)' [Routledge 2004], p.23


A Reaction

[He cites Hempel 1965] Put like that, it doesn't sound very promising. Personally I believe things occur if my wife tells me they do, because I trust her. Lipton says knowing that it occurs is not understanding why it occurs.