Single Idea 16850

[catalogued under 14. Science / D. Explanation / 1. Explanation / a. Explanation]

Full Idea

Explanation is a partial answer to the descriptive problem of induction, …but the justificatory problem is recalcitrant, since it may seem particularly implausible that explanatory considerations should be a reliable guide to truth.

Gist of Idea

Explanation may describe induction, but may not show how it justifies, or leads to truth

Source

Peter Lipton (Inference to the Best Explanation (2nd) [2004], 09 'Voltaire's')

Book Reference

Lipton,Peter: 'Inference to the Best Explanation (2nd ed)' [Routledge 2004], p.142


A Reaction

His claim that explanation is a guide to inference is intended to bridge the gap. One might say that a good explanation has to be true, so just make sure your explanation is 'good', according to a few criteria.