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Single Idea 6757

[filed under theme 14. Science / A. Basis of Science / 4. Prediction ]

Full Idea

Explanation is prediction after the event and prediction is explanation before the event.

Gist of Idea

Explanation predicts after the event; prediction explains before the event

Source

Alexander Bird (Philosophy of Science [1998], Ch.2)

Book Ref

Bird,Alexander: 'Philosophy of Science' [UCL Press 2000], p.72


A Reaction

A nice slogan, fitting Hempel's 'covering law' view of explanation. It doesn't seem quite right, because explanations and predictions are couched in very different language. Prediction implies an explanation; explanation implies a prediction.