Hubert, Mario and Malfatti, Federica (2022) Towards Ideal Understanding. [Preprint]

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Abstract

What does it take to understand a phenomenon ideally, or to the highest conceivable extent? In this paper, we answer this question by arguing for five necessary conditions for ideal understanding: (i) representational accuracy, (ii) intelligibility, (iii) truth, (iv) reasonable endorsement, and (v) fitting. Even if one disagrees that there is some form of ideal understanding, these five conditions can be regarded as sufficient conditions for a particularly deep level of understanding. We then argue that grasping, novel predictions, and transparency are not reasonable conditions for ideal understanding.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Hubert, Mario mario.hubert@aucegypt.edu 0000-0002-1170-6020 Malfatti, Federica
Keywords:	understanding, knowledge, scientific theory
Subjects:	General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science General Issues > History of Science Case Studies General Issues > Models and Idealization General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Depositing User:	Dr. Mario Hubert
Date Deposited:	12 Oct 2022 13:50
Last Modified:	12 Oct 2022 13:50
Item ID:	21262
Subjects:	General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science General Issues > History of Science Case Studies General Issues > Models and Idealization General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Date:	2022
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/21262

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