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Single Idea 14988

[filed under theme 14. Science / B. Scientific Theories / 2. Aim of Science ]

Full Idea

'Theories' based on bizarre, non-joint-carving classifications are unexplanatory even when true.

Gist of Idea

A theory which doesn't fit nature is unexplanatory, even if it is true

Source

Theodore Sider (Writing the Book of the World [2011], 03.1)

Book Ref

Sider,Theodore: 'Writing the Book of the World' [OUP 2011], p.23

A Reaction

This nicely pinpoints why I take explanation to be central to whole metaphysical enterprise.

Related Idea

Idea 14992 We don't care about plain truth, but truth in joint-carving terms [Sider]

The 16 ideas with the same theme [what science is trying to achieve, in general]:

21950 Science must clear away the idols of the mind if they are ever going to find the truth [Bacon]
24337 Sciences are precise about what is superficial, and thus explore impoverished parts of existence [Nietzsche]
18971 Theories are practical tools for progress, not answers to enigmas [James]
5391 Science aims to find uniformities to which (within the limits of experience) there are no exceptions [Russell]
3856 Good theories have empirical content, explain a lot, and are not falsified [Popper, by Newton-Smith]
17508 Science aims at truth, not at 'simplicity' [Putnam]
12669 Science aims to explain things, not just describe them [Ellis]
15225 Science investigates the nature and constitution of things or substances [Harré/Madden]
15298 We prefer the theory which explains and predicts the powers and capacities of particulars [Harré/Madden]
14917 To accept a scientific theory, we only need to believe that it is empirically adequate [Fraassen]
19007 A theory need not be true to be good; it should just be true about its physical aspects [Yablo]
7026 Science is sometimes said to classify powers, neglecting qualities [Heil]
15207 We want illuminating theories, rather than coherent theories [Le Poidevin]
14988 A theory which doesn't fit nature is unexplanatory, even if it is true [Sider]
17488 Empiricist theories are sets of laws, which give explanations and reductions [Glennan]
20736 Science has to abstract out the subjective attributes of things, focusing on what is objective [Aho]