Single Idea 12790

[catalogued under 14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / e. Lawlike explanations]

Full Idea

A generalisation is explanatory if and only if it is invariant.

Gist of Idea

Generalisations must be invariant to explain anything

Source

Bert Leuridan (Can Mechanisms Replace Laws of Nature? [2010], §4)

Book Reference

-: 'Philosophy of Science' [-], p.16


A Reaction

[He cites Jim Woodward 2003] I dislike the idea that generalisations and regularities explain anything at all, but this rule sounds like a bare minimum for being taken seriously in the space of explanations.