Unification and mathematical explanation in science

Journal article


Baron, Samuel. (2021). Unification and mathematical explanation in science. Synthese. 199(3-4), pp. 7339-7363. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-021-03118-3
AuthorsBaron, Samuel
Abstract

Mathematics clearly plays an important role in scientific explanation. Debate continues, however, over the kind of role that mathematics plays. I argue that if pure mathematical explananda and physical explananda are unified under a common explanation within science, then we have good reason to believe that mathematics is explanatory in its own right. The argument motivates the search for a new kind of scientific case study, a case in which pure mathematical facts and physical facts are explanatorily unified. I argue that it is possible for there to be such cases, and provide some toy examples to demonstrate this. I then identify a potential source of scientific case studies as a guide for future work.

Keywordsexplanation; unification; mathematics; science; indispensability
Year2021
JournalSynthese
Journal citation199 (3-4), pp. 7339-7363
PublisherSpringer
ISSN0039-7857
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-021-03118-3
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85103354188
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range7339-7363
FunderAustralian Research Council (ARC)
Publisher's version
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All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online26 Mar 2021
Publication process dates
Accepted10 Mar 2021
Deposited27 May 2022
ARC Funded ResearchThis output has been funded, wholly or partially, under the Australian Research Council Act 2001
Grant IDARC/DE180100414
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