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Single Idea 7060

[filed under theme 14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / j. Explanations by reduction ]

Full Idea

One form of explanation is by decomposition.

Gist of Idea

One form of explanation is by decomposition

Source

John Heil (From an Ontological Point of View [2003], 19.8)

Book Ref

Heil,John: 'From an Ontological Point of View' [OUP 2005], p.236

A Reaction

This is a fancy word for taking it apart, presumably to see how it works, which implies a functional explanation, rather than to see what it is made of, which seeks an ontological explanation. Simply 'decomposing' something wouldn't in itself explain.

The 14 ideas with the same theme [explaining by reveal grounding or foundations]:

16619 We observe qualities, and use 'induction' to refer to the substances lying under them [Gassendi]
15308 Science is the reduction of diverse forces and powers to a smaller number that explain them [Kant]
22646 We have a passion for knowing the parts of something, rather than the whole [James]
6552 You can only explain the qualities of large objects using entities which lack those qualities [Heisenberg]
20653 Six reduction levels: groups, lives, cells, molecules, atoms, particles [Putnam/Oppenheim, by Watson]
17075 Scientific explanation tends to reduce things to the unfamiliar (not the familiar) [Smart]
15310 Solidity comes from the power of repulsion, and shape from the power of attraction [Harré/Madden]
12315 We can explain by showing constitution, as well as showing causes [Stanford]
17088 Reducing one science to another is often said to be the perfect explanation [Ruben]
2396 Reductive explanation is not the be-all and the end-all of explanation [Chalmers]
7060 One form of explanation is by decomposition [Heil]
15059 Grounding is an explanation of truth, and needs all the virtues of good explanations [Fine,K]
13926 Best explanations, especially natural ones, need grounding, notably by persistent objects [Haslanger]
11053 Explanatory reduction is stronger than ontological reduction [Hanna]