Single Idea 15057

[catalogued under 14. Science / D. Explanation / 3. Best Explanation / b. Ultimate explanation]

Full Idea

We take ground to be an explanatory relation: if the truth that P is grounded in other truths, then they account for its truth; P's being the case holds in virtue of the other truths' being the case. ...It is the ultimate form of explanation.

Gist of Idea

Ultimate explanations are in 'grounds', which account for other truths, which hold in virtue of the grounding

Source

Kit Fine (The Question of Realism [2001], 5)

Book Reference

-: 'Philosophers' Imprint' [-], p.16


A Reaction

To be 'ultimate' that which grounds would have to be something which thwarted all further explanation. Popper, for example, got quite angry at the suggestion that we should put a block on further investigation in this way.

Related Idea

Idea 5451 Popper felt that ancient essentialism was a bar to progress [Popper, by Mautner]