Wilhelm, Isaac (2023) Comparing Mathematical Explanations. The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science.

Text Comparing Mathematical Explanations.pdf Download (415kB)

Abstract

Philosophers have developed several detailed accounts of what makes some mathematical proofs explanatory. Significantly less attention has been paid, however, to what makes some proofs more explanatory than other proofs. That is problematic, since the reasons for thinking that some proofs explain are also reasons for thinking that some proofs are more explanatory than others. So in this paper, I develop an account of comparative explanation in mathematics. I propose a theory of the `at least as explanatory as' relation among mathematical proofs.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Published Article or Volume
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Wilhelm, Isaac iwilhelm@nus.edu.sg
Keywords:	philosophy of mathematics, explanation, logic, comparative explanation
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Mathematics > Explanation Specific Sciences > Mathematics
Depositing User:	Isaac Wilhelm
Date Deposited:	16 Dec 2025 20:01
Last Modified:	16 Dec 2025 20:01
Item ID:	27485
Journal or Publication Title:	The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Mathematics > Explanation Specific Sciences > Mathematics
Date:	2023
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/27485

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item