Single Idea 6751

[catalogued under 14. Science / D. Explanation / 4. Explanation Doubts / a. Explanation as pragmatic]

Full Idea

Some philosophers have thought that explanation is hopelessly subjective, so subjective even that it is should have no part in proper science.

Gist of Idea

Maybe explanation is so subjective that it cannot be a part of science

Source

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

Book Reference

Bird,Alexander: 'Philosophy of Science' [UCL Press 2000], p.64


A Reaction

God requires no explanations, and children require many. If fundamental explanations are causal, then laying bare the causal chains is the explanation, whether you want it or not. God knows all the explanations. See Idea 6752.

Related Idea

Idea 6752 The objective component of explanations is the things that must exist for the explanation [Bird]