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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] |