Explain the structure of the DN Model
Explanans must explain the explanandum
“C’s”: statements of antecedent conditions
“L’s”: general laws
“E”: description of the empirical phenomenon to be explained
Conditions of Adequacy (DN model)
- Explanandum must logically follows from the explanans
- Explanans must contain general laws
- Explanans must have empirical content
- Sentences constituting the explanans must be true
Problems of the DN model
- Asymmetry: Explanations cannot be reversed -> they have a directedness that arguments lack
- Irrelevance problem: Model allows irrelevant factors to be apart of the explanans
- Missing Laws: DN model requires general laws, some laws rely on probabilistic reasoning -> inductive reasoning
Explain the mechanistic model (a mechanism)
- causal
- Individuated by the effect it brings about
- structural (explicates casual processes within the entirety)
- hierarchically embedded
- continuous chain (continuous and contiguous chain of causal links)
Explain Coleman’s Boat
Uses the micro-level to explain the macro-level (explanandum)
Macro-level: phenomenon to be explained and initial social situation
Micro-level: agents and how they act and how it’s aggregated to produce the macro outcome
Explain Scientific Realism
Scientific theories should provide a literal, true depiction of reality
- Claims about the world
- Casual identification to make accurate predictions
- Truth of assumptions matter
Explain scientific instrumentalism
Scientific theories are for generating accurate predictions about the world
Truth value is irrelevant
Quality of a scientific theory depends on how well it predicts
Arguments against scientific instrumentalism
- Neglect of explanation: only focuses on predictions
- Difficulty in modification (when predictions fail) ∴ degenerative
Why should we trust science?
Proven strategy for producing reliable information and successful applications
Designed for self-correction in the long run
