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Approximative Explanation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2022

T. R. Girill
T. R. Girill*
Affiliation:
California State University-Fresno
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Extract

Sometimes, when an explanandum E is a quantitative claim, we are unable to explain why the specific numerical value mentioned in E is correct. Sometimes an explanans X is available, however, which accounts for a statement E' asserting a value close to that mentioned in E. Although X strictly speaking provides evidence against E, it is in some circumstances seen as approximatively explaining E along with E'. Such an approximative explanation may be defined as follows:

A set of statements X constitutes an approximative explanans for an explanandum E iff (i) there exists a statement E' such that X adequately explains E', and (ii) E' approximates E.

Explanans X is linked to the desired explanandum E only indirectly, by means of E's closeness to E'. Hence, a special problem arises about the conditions under which such an approximative explanation is really acceptable.

Type
Part V. Explanation
Information
PSA: Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association , Volume 1978 , Issue 1: Volume One: Contributed Papers 1978 , 1978 , pp. 186 - 196
Copyright
Copyright © 1978 by the Philosophy of Science Association

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References

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