Theories of Explanation

Description

Since the publication of Carl Hempel and Paul Oppenheim's ground-breaking work "Studies in the Logic of Explanation," the theory of explanation has remained a major topic in the philosophy of science. This valuable collection provides readers with the opportunity to study some of the classic essays on the theory of explanation along with the best examples of the most recent work being done on the topic. In addition to the original Hempel and Oppenheim paper, the volume includes Scriven's critical reaction to it, Wilfrid Sellars's discussion of the problem of theoretical explanation, and pieces by Salmon, Railton, van Fraassen, Friedman, Kitcher, and Achinstein in which they demonstrate the vitality of the subject by extending the scope of the inquiry. "Covers virtually all the main currents in contemporary thinking about scientific explanation. We need more collections like this in philosophy of science."―Alan Richardson, Northwestern University "Will be useful in a course focused on the issue of scientific explanation. It is a collection of nine seminal papers on this topic and so provides in one place an account of many of the developments in recent philosophical theorizing about explanation....Clearly provides a very useful set of readings for an advanced philosophy of science course."―Teaching Philosophy "The most up-to-date collection of writings on explanation available. An excellent classroom resource."―Valentine Dusek, University of New Hampshire "An excellent collection."―Warren Schmaus, Illinois Institute of Technology "These selections excellently cover the range of classic and current accounts of explanation."―Gary R. Weaver, Northwestern College "The most up-to-date collection of writings on explanation available...an excellent classroom resource."―Valentine Dusek, University of New Hampshire 1. Introduction, 3 JOSEPH PITT 2. Studies in the Logic of Explanation, 9 CARL G. HEMPEL AND PAUL OPPENHEIM 3. Explanations, Predictions, and Laws, 51 MICHAEL SCRIVEN 4. Statistical Explanation and Causality, 75 WESLEY C. SALMON 5. A Deductive-Nomological Model of Probabilistic Explanation, 119 PETER RAILTON 6. The Pragmatic Theory of Explanation, 136 BAS C. VAN FRAASSEN 7. Theoretical Explanation, 156 WILFRID SELLARS 8. Explanatory Unification, 167 PHILIP KITCHER 9. Explanation and Scientific Understanding, 188 MICHAEL FRIEDMAN 10. The Ilocutionary Theory of Explanation, 199 PETER ACHINSTEIN