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A Counterfactual Approach to Explanation in Mathematic
Baron, Sam Colyvan, Mark Ripley, David
Baron, Sam
Colyvan, Mark
Ripley, David
Author
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.
Keywords
Date
2020
Type
Journal article
Journal
Philosophia Mathematica
Book
Volume
28
Issue
1
Page Range
1-34
Article Number
ACU Department
Dianoia Institute of Philosophy
Faculty of Theology and Philosophy
Faculty of Theology and Philosophy
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Open Access Status
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