Full Idea
To provide an adequate explanation of any given fact, we need to provide information that is relevant to the occurrence of that fact - information that makes a difference to its occurrence. It is not enough to subsume it under a general law.
Gist of Idea
A law is not enough for explanation - we need information about what makes a difference
Source
Wesley Salmon (Four Decades of Scientific Explanation [1989], 2.2)
Book Reference
Salmon,Wesley C.: 'Four Decades of Scientific Explanation', ed/tr. Humphreys,Paul [Pittsburgh 2006], p.45
A Reaction
[He cites Bromberger for this idea] Salmon is identifying this idea as the beginnings of trouble for the covering-law account of explanation, and it sounds exactly right.