Single Idea 8406

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

Full Idea

Although not all explanations are causal, anything which can be explained in any way can be explained causally.

Gist of Idea

Not all explanations are causal, but if a thing can be explained at all, it can be explained causally

Source

David H. Sanford (Causation [1995], p.79)

Book Reference

'A Companion to Metaphysics', ed/tr. Kim,Jaegwon/Sosa,Ernest [Blackwell 1995], p.79


A Reaction

A nice bold claim with which I am in sympathy, but he would have a struggle proving it. Does this imply that causal explanations are basic, or in some way superior? Note that functional explanations would thus have underlying causal explanations.