Explanation And Arguments

Question 1

Two questions to ask when evaluating explanations

Answer 1

1. Is the explanans, if true, adequate to establish the explanandum?
2. Is the explanans actually true?

Question 2

Three factors to test the adequacy of an explanation

Answer 2

1. The logical strength of the explanans
2. The completeness of the explanans.
3. The informativeness of the explanans.

• Always to in order
• An explanation must pass all three to be adequate

Question 3

Strength of an explanation

Answer 3

The Strength of an explanation is measured in degrees to which the explanans renders the explanandum something we would have expected or predicated had we known that the explanans were true.

Question 4

Completeness of and Explanation

Answer 4

A function of how much of the explanandum the explananas accounts for.

Question 5

Informativeness of an Explanation

Answer 5

A function of the depth of the explanans, by making our understanding deeper and more fundamental.
- Informative explanations enlarge our understanding of the explanandum, by making our understanding deeper and more fundamental.