Single Idea 16849

[catalogued under 14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / g. Causal explanations]

Full Idea

It is often easier to say what a factor would explain than it is to say what it would cause.

Gist of Idea

Explanations may be easier to find than causes

Source

Peter Lipton (Inference to the Best Explanation (2nd) [2004], 08 'From cause')

Book Reference

Lipton,Peter: 'Inference to the Best Explanation (2nd ed)' [Routledge 2004], p.137


A Reaction

Presumably the presence of some factor might explain something, but the factor itself might have mysterious causal powers. A catalyst, for example. We don't need to understand the factor that explains.