Single Idea 4808

[catalogued under 14. Science / A. Basis of Science / 4. Prediction]

Full Idea

There can be explanations without predictions, as when we explain a previous position of Mars from its present one, plus a law.

Gist of Idea

If we say where Mars was two months ago, we offer an explanation without a prediction

Source

Stathis Psillos (Causation and Explanation [2002], §8.9)

Book Reference

Psillos,Stathis: 'Causation and Explanation' [Acumen 2002], p.236


A Reaction

If we don't mind stretching the word, I think we can 'predict' the past, as where I predict the location of an Egyptian tomb from my study of papyruses.