Ross, Lauren N. (2020) The explanatory nature of constraints: Law-based, mathematical, and causal. [Preprint]

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Abstract

This paper provides an analysis of explanatory constraints and their role in scientific explanation. This analysis clarifies main characteristics of explanatory constraints, ways in which they differ from “standard” explanatory factors, and the unique roles they play in scientific explanation. While current philosophical work appreciates two main types of explanatory constraints, this paper suggests a new taxonomy: law-based constraints, mathematical constraints, and causal constraints. This classification helps capture unique features of distinct constraint types, the different roles they play in explanation, and it includes causal constraints, which are often overlooked in this literature.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Ross, Lauren N. rossl@uci.edu
Keywords:	Explanation, scientific explanation, constraints
Subjects:	General Issues > Causation General Issues > Explanation
Depositing User:	Lauren N. Ross
Date Deposited:	28 Dec 2020 05:20
Last Modified:	28 Dec 2020 05:20
Item ID:	18504
Subjects:	General Issues > Causation General Issues > Explanation
Date:	10 December 2020
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/18504

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