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Explanatory asymmetry in non-causal explanation

Wayne, Andrew (2021) Explanatory asymmetry in non-causal explanation. [Preprint]

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Abstract

The problem of explanatory asymmetry remains a serious challenge for non-causal accounts of explanation. This paper proposes a novel solution, and it does so by appealing to the theoretical context in which an explanation is offered. The paper develops the problem of explanatory asymmetry for non-causal dependency accounts of explanation, focusing specifically on Alexander Reutlinger’s Counterfactual Theory of Explanation and recent work by Marc Lange and Lina Jansson. It defends the idea that nomological possibility with respect to a global theory is the right constraint on explanation, and it shows how this breaks the apparent symmetry in counterfactual dependence that is the source of the problem. This solution appeals to theoretical context, and the paper develops and defends the version of contextualism in explanation that is required.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Wayne, Andrewawayne@uoguelph.ca
Keywords: Explanation; explanatory asymmetry;
Subjects: General Issues > Explanation
General Issues > Models and Idealization
Depositing User: Andrew Wayne
Date Deposited: 12 May 2022 04:07
Last Modified: 12 May 2022 04:07
Item ID: 20590
Subjects: General Issues > Explanation
General Issues > Models and Idealization
Date: 2021
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/20590

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