Explanation

Question 1

Explanatum

Answer 1

combination of explanandum (that which is to be explained) and explanans (the answer to the why-question provided)

Question 2

explanation/ deduction

Answer 2

explanation is not mere deduction.
Deduction from laws of nature.

Question 3

Deductive nomological explanation

Answer 3

Finite set of sentences DN-explains explanandum E iff:
(1) set is a deductive argument with E as conclusion
(2) set consists of laws of nature L, mathematical theorems M & particular facts (F)
(3) set is consistent
(4) E cannot just be explained from M & F only, L are needed
(5) no premise in the set can be deduced from E
(6) deduction is slender, no redundant premises
(7) if E is a disjunction, every disjunct must be separately deductible from the set

Question 4

three types of problems

Answer 4

1. redundancy problems
2. symmetry problems
3. tacking problems

Question 5

redundancy problems

Answer 5

can add any sentences as long as the set stays consistent

Question 6

tacking problems

Answer 6

can add trillions of added disjuncts

Question 7

symmetry problems

Answer 7

the roles of facts as part of explanans and explanandum are exchanged.
solution: causal nexus, but does not help for all

Question 8

Inductive nomological expanation

Answer 8

finite set of sentences IN-explains explanandum E iff:
(1) set contains laws of nature with at least one probabilistic one, particular facts and possibly mathematical theorems (L, M, F)
(2) set implies that the probability of E given F is close to 1
(3) E cannot only be deducted from the particular facts
(4) set is consistent
(5) none of the premises in the set deductively follow from E
(6) set contains no redundancies
(7) set contains all relevant facts/ evidence

Question 9

Causal explanation

Answer 9

finite set of sentences is a causal explanation of event E iff
(1) set described how the occurrence of n events C1, C2, etc. are jointly sufficient for the occurrence of E
(2) the occurrence of every event is necessary for the occurrence of E (leaving out one leads to insufficient explanation)
(3) set is consistent

Question 10

Causal nexus

Answer 10

causal nexus in causal explanation is presupposed.
causation is a relation between events.

Event C is causally connected to event E iff the objects in event C physically interact with the objects in event E (physical interactions = gravitational, radio-active, nuclear, electro-magnetic)

Question 11

Cause

Answer 11

Event C is a cause of E iff
(1) C is causally connected to event E
(2) C occurs earlier than event E

Question 12

Functional explanation

Answer 12

finite set of sentences functionally explains iff
(1) set describes function of the prime object or objects involved in E and shows how the functioning leads to E
(2) set is consistent

Question 13

Unification-explanation

Answer 13

To explain the phenomena is to unify the phenomena. explanations from scientific literature are collected (k-phi). find recurring argument-patterns. collect these and call them a systematization of T. Lay down conditions for these systematizations, and find the best one = unification of K-phi.

Question 14

ToE unification-explanation

Answer 14

small number of argument-patterns that is used to deduce an enormous variety of biological phenomena –> this makes TofE the provider of explanations.

Question 15

Unification-explanation & ‘problems’

Answer 15

Redundancy/ tacking problems: systematizations containing added sentences or disjuncts will not be the best conditions for systematizations and therefore will not become the unification.
Symmetry problems: addition of all reversed deductive argument patterns will lead to less simple systematization (unnecessary complex one), so also not become unification.

Also, redundant premises will not be found in scientific literature, so will not be part of sentences K-phi

Question 16

Contrast classes

Answer 16

for ambiguous questions, a contrast class should be added to the question, to make sure the explanation is given for the right context

Question 17

Pluralism of explanations

Answer 17

different types of explanations are needed within different situations, cannot reduce to a single type