more from Carl Hempel

Single Idea 6755

[catalogued under 14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / e. Lawlike explanations]

Full Idea

Hempel proposes that explanations involve covering laws and antecedent conditions; this view (the 'covering law' view) has two versions, the deductive-nomological model and the probabilistic-statistical model of explanation.

Clarification

'Nomological' means concerning laws of nature

Gist of Idea

For Hempel, explanations are deductive-nomological or probabilistic-statistical

Source

report of Carl Hempel (Aspects of Scientific Explanation [1965]) by Alexander Bird - Philosophy of Science Ch.2

Book Reference

Bird,Alexander: 'Philosophy of Science' [UCL Press 2000], p.67


A Reaction

The obvious problem with this approach, it seem to me, is that the laws themselves need explanation, and I don't see how a law can be foundational unless there is a divine law-giver. Are the laws arbitrary and axiomatic?