Scientific Explanation and the Causal Structure of the World
Regular price
€38.99
14 days return policy
Shipping & Delivery
A01=Wesley C. Salmon
Alpha particle
Analogy
Author_Wesley C. Salmon
Avogadro constant
Axiom
Bernard d'Espagnat
Brownian motion
Category=PDA
Causal structure
Causality
Classical physics
Compton scattering
Concept
Deductive reasoning
Deductive-nomological model
Electromagnetic radiation
Empiricism
Epistemology
eq_bestseller
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
eq_science
Explanandum
Explanation
Explanatory power
Explication
Falsity
Hans Reichenbach
Hypothesis
Inductive reasoning
Inference
Instance (computer science)
Instrumentalism
Interaction
Ipso facto
Kinetic theory of gases
Logical consequence
Logical positivism
Microscope
Models of scientific inquiry
Molecule
National Science Foundation
Newton's law of universal gravitation
Newton's laws of motion
Phenomenon
Philosopher
Philosophy
Philosophy of science
Photon
Physicist
Prediction
Premise
Premises
Principle
Prior probability
Probability
Quantity
Quantum mechanics
Reason
Received view
Relevance
Requirement
Result
Richard Jeffrey
Science
Scientific theory
Scientist
Statistical regularity
Subset
Suggestion
Theoretical physics
Theory
Theory of relativity
Thought
Time
Writing
Product details
- ISBN 9780691101705
- Weight: 454g
- Dimensions: 152 x 235mm
- Publication Date: 21 Dec 1984
- Publisher: Princeton University Press
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Paperback
Secure
checkout
Fast Shipping
Easy returns
The philosophical theory of scientific explanation proposed here involves a radically new treatment of causality that accords with the pervasively statistical character of contemporary science. Wesley C. Salmon describes three fundamental conceptions of scientific explanation--the epistemic, modal, and ontic. He argues that the prevailing view (a version of the epistemic conception) is untenable and that the modal conception is scientifically out-dated. Significantly revising aspects of his earlier work, he defends a causal/mechanical theory that is a version of the ontic conception. Professor Salmon's theory furnishes a robust argument for scientific realism akin to the argument that convinced twentieth-century physical scientists of the existence of atoms and molecules. To do justice to such notions as irreducibly statistical laws and statistical explanation, he offers a novel account of physical randomness. The transition from the "reviewed view" of scientific explanation (that explanations are arguments) to the causal/mechanical model requires fundamental rethinking of basic explanatory concepts.
Wesley C. Salmon (1925-2001) was University Professor of Philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh from 1983 to 1999 and the author of works that include The Foundations of Scientific Inference and Statistical Explanation and Statistical Relevance.
