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Full Idea
Maybe to deduce a theorem as an instance of a generalization is more explanatory than to deduce it correctly.
Gist of Idea
Maybe an instance of a generalisation is more explanatory than the particular case
Source
Mark Steiner (Mathematical Explanation [1978], p.32)
Book Ref
'Philosophy of Mathematics: anthology', ed/tr. Jacquette,Dale [Blackwell 2002], p.32
A Reaction
Steiner eventually comes down against this proposal, on the grounds that some proofs are too general, and hence too far away from the thing they are meant to explain.
13229 | Maybe an instance of a generalisation is more explanatory than the particular case [Steiner,M] |
13231 | Explanatory proofs rest on 'characterizing properties' of entities or structure [Steiner,M] |
13230 | Particular essence is often captured by generality [Steiner,M] |