A counterfactual approach to explanation in mathematics

Journal article

Baron, Sam, Colyvan, Mark and Ripley, David. (2020). A counterfactual approach to explanation in mathematics. Philosophia Mathematica. 28(1), pp. 1-34. https://doi.org/10.1093/philmat/nkz023
AuthorsBaron, Sam, Colyvan, Mark and Ripley, David
Abstract

Our goal in this paper is to extend counterfactual accounts of scientific explanation to mathematics. Our focus, in particular, is on intra-mathematical explanations: explanations of one mathematical fact in terms of another. We offer a basic counterfactual theory of intra-mathematical explanations, before modelling the explanatory structure of a test case using counterfactual machinery. We finish by considering the application of counterpossibles to mathematical explanation, and explore a second test case along these lines.

Year2020
JournalPhilosophia Mathematica
Journal citation28 (1), pp. 1-34
PublisherOxford University Press
ISSN0031-8019
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1093/philmat/nkz023
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85085598570
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range1-34
FunderAustralian Research Council (ARC)
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All rights reserved
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Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online02 Dec 2019
Publication process dates
Deposited22 Jun 2021
ARC Funded ResearchThis output has been funded, wholly or partially, under the Australian Research Council Act 2001
Grant IDARC/DE180100414
ARC/FT110100909
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