more from Peter Lipton

Single Idea 16810

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

Full Idea

Deduction models of explanation make it far too easy to explain. You can explain that planets move in an ellipse from the conjunction of the fact that they do, together with any law you please, say a law in economics.

Gist of Idea

Deduction explanation is too easy; any law at all will imply the facts - together with the facts!

Source

Peter Lipton (Inference to the Best Explanation (2nd) [2004], 02 'Reason')

Book Reference

Lipton,Peter: 'Inference to the Best Explanation (2nd ed)' [Routledge 2004], p.27