Full Idea
According to the reason model of explanation, to explain a phenomenon is to give a reason to believe that the phenomenon occurs.
Gist of Idea
An explanation gives the reason the phenomenon occurred
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.23
A Reaction
[He cites Hempel 1965] Put like that, it doesn't sound very promising. Personally I believe things occur if my wife tells me they do, because I trust her. Lipton says knowing that it occurs is not understanding why it occurs.