BaalChatzaf Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 What is an explanation? Explanation has several meanings. 1. Explanation is the set of causes producing a given effect. We ask why (in the sense of how) did such and such happen. 2. Explanation is a reason for some action. This could be either a purpose for the action (some end is attained by the action) or it could mean a cause of the action. Why did Jack fall from the roof? One answer is his support was removed or disappeared and he fell under gravitational interaction. Another explanation: Jack was pushed from the roof and yet another Jack jumped from the roof. So when we query for explanations we should distinguish between querying for means or cause on the one hand, and purposes, ends or goals on the other. Scientific explanations are almost always queries for cause or means. They answer the how question. What happened to produce the effect that needs an explanation. This invites an efficient cause (in the Aristotelian sense) a material cause or a formal cause but hardly ever a teleological cause. In the physical sciences it is generally assumed that nature, as such, has no purposes. But this is not as simple as it looks. One of the principles of physics is the principle of "least action". Leibniz believed it was God who ordained that Nature behaved in the most economical way. The interesting thing is that finding the values of a Lagrangian that produce zero marginal change (a characteristic of maxima and minima) produce the correct laws of motions and change mathematically. So a theologically inclined physicist can say Nature obeys God's command to work in the most economical fashion which is an "explanation" pregnant teleology. Nature does such and such in order to minimize action or maximize efficiency. Scientists sometime use the locution: "Nature conserves momentum, angular momentum and energy in interactions". It is as if Nature wants to prevent losses or un-caused gains and that is a teleological statement. Fortunately the teleological mode of expression can be replaced without loss of predictive power by a statement of efficient, formal or material cause. Teleology can be dispensed with. Even so, scientists in their private moments sometimes attribute purpose to nature's actions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 I suppose an explanation is to manipulate our image in another's eyes. Proof is different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moralist Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 20 hours ago, Peter said: Proof is different. Indeed, Peter. Reality proves itself. Bloated bloviating self aggrandizing intellectual theories are powerless to alter reality... ...because reality is greater than ourselves. Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaalChatzaf Posted June 7, 2017 Author Share Posted June 7, 2017 On 6/5/2017 at 3:47 PM, Peter said: I suppose an explanation is to manipulate our image in another's eyes. Proof is different. Not really. A genuine explanation answers a genuine "how" question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 An old X Files tonight had Scully wondering about the beginning of the Universe. She said the Big Bang was violent. I wonder. Wouldn't it be violent just if living entities were involved? Otherwise a big explosion is a big explosion but it is not violent. Agent Taylor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moralist Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 On 6/6/2017 at 7:58 PM, Peter said: An old X Files tonight had Scully wondering about the beginning of the Universe. She said the Big Bang was violent. I wonder. Wouldn't it be violent just if living entities were involved? Otherwise a big explosion is a big explosion but it is not violent. Agent Taylor Yes. Violence requires a human to experience it . Minus that it's just amoral energy and matter. Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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