Full Idea
I want to characterise explanation of some fact as a matter of fitting belief in this fact into a system of beliefs.
Gist of Idea
Explanation of a fact is fitting it into a system of beliefs
Source
J.J.C. Smart (Explanation - Opening Address [1990], p.02)
Book Reference
'Explanation and Its Limits', ed/tr. Knowles,Dudley [CUP 1990], p.2
A Reaction
Sounds good to me. Simple facts slot straight into daily beliefs, and deep obscure facts are explained when we hook them up to things we have already grasped. Quark theory fits into prior physics of forces, properties etc.