Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-g7gxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T05:45:50.360Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Towards an Aristotelean Theory of Scientific Explanation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2022

B. A. Brody
B. A. Brody*
Affiliation:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

In this paper, I consider a variety of objections against the covering-law model of scientific explanation, show that Aristotle was already aware of them and had solutions for them, and argue that these solutions are correct. These solutions involve the notions of nonHumean causality and of essential properties. There are a great many familiar objections, both methodological and epistemological, to introducing these concepts into the methodology of science, but I show that these objections are based upon misunderstandings of these concepts.

Type
Research Article
Information
Philosophy of Science , Volume 39 , Issue 1 , March 1972 , pp. 20 - 31
Copyright
Copyright © 1972 by The Philosophy of Science Association

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

[1] Brody, B. A. “Natural Kinds and Real Essences.” Journal of Philosophy (1967).10.2307/2024426CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[2] Bromberger, S. “Why Questions.” Introductory Readings in the Philosophy of Science. Edited by Brody, B. A. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall, 1969.Google Scholar
[3] Duhem, P. La Théorie Physique, Son Objet et sa Structure. Paris: Chevalier et Rivière, 1914.Google Scholar
[4] Eberle, R. A., Kaplan, D., and Montague, R. “Hempel and Oppenheim on Explanation.” Philosophy of Science (1961).10.1086/287828CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[5] Hempel, C. G. Aspects of Scientific Explanation. New York: Free Press, 1955.Google Scholar
[6] Kaplan, D. “Explanation Revisited.” Philosophy of Science (1961).10.1086/287829CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[7] Kim, J. “Discussion: On the Logical Conditions of Deductive Explanation.” Philosophy of Science (1963).10.1086/287943CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[8] Popper, K. R. Conjectures and Refutations. London: 1963.10.1063/1.3050617CrossRefGoogle Scholar