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Single Idea 6756

[from 'Philosophy of Science' by Alexander Bird, in 14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / l. Probabilistic explanations ]

Full Idea

The probabilistic-statistical view of explanation (also called inductive-statistical explantion) is similar to deductive-nomological explanation, but instead of entailing the explanandum a probabilistic-statistical explantion makes it very likely.

Clarification

The 'explanandum' is the thing being explained

Gist of Idea

Probabilistic-statistical explanations don't entail the explanandum, but makes it more likely

Source

Alexander Bird (Philosophy of Science [1998], Ch.2)

Book Reference

Bird,Alexander: 'Philosophy of Science' [UCL Press 2000], p.69


A Reaction

If people have umbrellas up, does that explain rain? Does the presence of a psychopath in the audience explain why I don't go to a rock concert? Still, it has a point.