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Single Idea 7060
[filed under theme 14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / j. Explanations by reduction
]
Full Idea
One form of explanation is by decomposition.
Gist of Idea
One form of explanation is by decomposition
Source
John Heil (From an Ontological Point of View [2003], 19.8)
Book Ref
Heil,John: 'From an Ontological Point of View' [OUP 2005], p.236
A Reaction
This is a fancy word for taking it apart, presumably to see how it works, which implies a functional explanation, rather than to see what it is made of, which seeks an ontological explanation. Simply 'decomposing' something wouldn't in itself explain.
The
14 ideas
with the same theme
[explaining by reveal grounding or foundations]:
16619
|
We observe qualities, and use 'induction' to refer to the substances lying under them
[Gassendi]
|
15308
|
Science is the reduction of diverse forces and powers to a smaller number that explain them
[Kant]
|
22646
|
We have a passion for knowing the parts of something, rather than the whole
[James]
|
6552
|
You can only explain the qualities of large objects using entities which lack those qualities
[Heisenberg]
|
20653
|
Six reduction levels: groups, lives, cells, molecules, atoms, particles
[Putnam/Oppenheim, by Watson]
|
17075
|
Scientific explanation tends to reduce things to the unfamiliar (not the familiar)
[Smart]
|
15310
|
Solidity comes from the power of repulsion, and shape from the power of attraction
[Harré/Madden]
|
12315
|
We can explain by showing constitution, as well as showing causes
[Stanford]
|
17088
|
Reducing one science to another is often said to be the perfect explanation
[Ruben]
|
2396
|
Reductive explanation is not the be-all and the end-all of explanation
[Chalmers]
|
7060
|
One form of explanation is by decomposition
[Heil]
|
15059
|
Grounding is an explanation of truth, and needs all the virtues of good explanations
[Fine,K]
|
13926
|
Best explanations, especially natural ones, need grounding, notably by persistent objects
[Haslanger]
|
11053
|
Explanatory reduction is stronger than ontological reduction
[Hanna]
|