more from this thinker | more from this text
Full Idea
The failure of monotonicity is a general feature of explanatory relations.
Clarification
In 'monotonic' logics, what is proved stays proved
Gist of Idea
Explanations fail to be monotonic
Source
Gideon Rosen (Metaphysical Dependence [2010], 05)
Book Ref
'Modality', ed/tr. Hale,B/Hoffman,A [OUP 2010], p.116
A Reaction
In other words, explanations can always shift in the light of new evidence. In principle this is right, but some explanations just seem permanent, like plate-tectonics as explanation for earthquakes.
| 4810 | Valid deduction is monotonic - that is, it remains valid if further premises are added [Psillos] |
| 14096 | Explanations fail to be monotonic [Rosen] |
| 13525 | Most deductive logic (unlike ordinary reasoning) is 'monotonic' - we don't retract after new givens [Wolf,RS] |
| 19110 | In classical logic the relation |= has Monotony built into its definition [Antonelli] |
| 19112 | Cautious Monotony ignores proved additions; Rational Monotony fails if the addition's negation is proved [Antonelli] |
| 18807 | Monotonicity means there is a guarantee, rather than mere inductive support [Rumfitt] |