Full Idea
Mathematical explanations are never causal, and philosophical explanations seldom are.
Gist of Idea
Mathematical and philosophical explanations are not causal
Source
Peter Lipton (Inference to the Best Explanation (2nd) [2004], 03 'Fact')
Book Reference
Lipton,Peter: 'Inference to the Best Explanation (2nd ed)' [Routledge 2004], p.31
A Reaction
There may still be a 'direction' of explanation in mathematics, as when the nature of the triangle explains the Pythagoras Theorem, but the theorem may not give you the basic nature of triangles. Lipton suggests 'determination' for 'causation'.