Explanations reconsidered
- Creators
- Curren, Randall R.
Abstract
Edna Ullmann-Margalit .introduced the notion of an invisiblehand explanation (I-H explanation) to the philosophical literature in 1978, and made a distinction between "aggregate" and "functional-evolutionary" (F-E) forms of I -H explanations. The present paper produces a substantially refined analysis of the forms and functions of I-H explanations. Sections (1) and (2) introduce the ideas of I-H and aggregate I-H explanation, respectively. Section (J) argues that no one form of explanation can serve the explanatory fUnctions Ullmann-Margalit attributes to aggregate explanations, and divides those explanatory functions between genetic and "systematic-dispositional" explanations. Section (4) identifies difficulties with the idea of F-E explanation in the social realm, and shows that any I-H explanations fitting the P-E mold would constitute simply a special class of "aggregate" explanation.
Additional Information
I owe thanks to Edna Ullmann-Margalit, Merrilee Salmon. Sandra Mitchell, and especially Carl G. Hempel and Joseph Camp. for their encouragement and useful comments on earlier drafts of this paper.Attached Files
Published - HumsWP-0120.pdf
Files
Name | Size | Download all |
---|---|---|
md5:242533abd21f9bc303e57c2279578d13
|
865.6 kB | Preview Download |
Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 27460
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20111026-140811037
- Created
-
2011-10-26Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
-
2019-10-03Created from EPrint's last_modified field
- Caltech groups
- Humanities Working Papers
- Series Name
- Humanities Working Paper
- Series Volume or Issue Number
- 120