Single Idea 16811

[catalogued under 14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / c. Explanations by coherence]

Full Idea

According to the 'unification' model of explanation, we come to understand a phenomenon when we see how it fit together with other phenomena into unified whole.

Gist of Idea

An explanation unifies a phenomenon with our account of other phenomena

Source

Peter Lipton (Inference to the Best Explanation (2nd) [2004], 02 'Reason')

Book Reference

Lipton,Peter: 'Inference to the Best Explanation (2nd ed)' [Routledge 2004], p.28


A Reaction

[He cites Kitcher 1989] This works quite well for a lot of explanation, but a revolutionary explanation might involve a completely new theory. Lipton says it is rather linguistic, and has no room for a regress of causes, or for singular explanations.