back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 12313

[from 'Explanation: the state of play' by Michael Stanford, in 14. Science / D. Explanation / 1. Explanation / b. Aims of explanation ]

Full Idea

There are a number of reasons why we explain: out of sheer curiosity, to increase our control of a situation, to help understanding by simplifying or making familiar, to confer meaning or significance, and to give scientific authority to some statement.

Gist of Idea

Explanation is for curiosity, control, understanding, to make meaningful, or to give authority

Source

Michael Stanford (Explanation: the state of play [1991], p.172)

Book Reference

'Cogito Magazine 05/3', ed/tr. Pyle,Andrew [Carfax 1991], p.172