Explanation impossible
Journal article
Baron, Sam and Colyvan, Mark. (2021). Explanation impossible. Philosophical Studies. 178, pp. 559-576. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11098-020-01445-8
Authors | Baron, Sam and Colyvan, Mark |
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Abstract | We argue that explanations appealing to logical impossibilities are genuine explanations. Our defense is based on a certain picture of impossibility. Namely, that there are impossibilities and that the impossibilities have structure. Assuming this broad picture of impossibility we defend the genuineness of explanations that appeal to logical impossibilities against three objections. First, that such explanations are at odds with the perceived conceptual connection between explanation and counterfactual dependence. Second, that there are no genuinely contrastive why-questions that involve logical impossibilities and, third, that explanations appealing to logical impossibilities rule nothing out. |
Keywords | explanation; impossibility; impossible worlds; logic; count |
Year | 2021 |
Journal | Philosophical Studies |
Journal citation | 178, pp. 559-576 |
Publisher | Springer Netherlands |
ISSN | 0031-8116 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1007/s11098-020-01445-8 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85084674601 |
Research or scholarly | Research |
Page range | 559-576 |
Publisher's version | License All rights reserved File Access Level Controlled |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 02 Apr 2020 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 16 Apr 2021 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8vx1z/explanation-impossible
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