Single Idea 16829

[catalogued under 14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / e. Lawlike explanations]

Full Idea

The hypothetico-deductive model does not account for the negative impact of explanatory failure. We reject hypotheses because they fail to explain contrasts, not because they are logically incompatible with them.

Gist of Idea

We reject deductive explanations if they don't explain, not if the deduction is bad

Source

Peter Lipton (Inference to the Best Explanation (2nd) [2004], 05 'Explanation')

Book Reference

Lipton,Peter: 'Inference to the Best Explanation (2nd ed)' [Routledge 2004], p.86


A Reaction

The general move in modern accounts of investigation is away from an excessive emphasis on logic that used to be favoured. The underpinning of this is that science concerns mechanisms more than equations.