Difference between revisions of "Explanatory Gap"
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| + | = Definitions = | ||
== Conventional use of the term == | == Conventional use of the term == | ||
| − | In most of the existing literature, the following definition of explanatory gap is used: | + | In most of the existing literature, the following definition of explanatory gap is used:<ref>For the emphasis of deductive notions of explanation, cf. Taylor, Elanor. "Explanation and the explanatory gap." Acta Analytica 31.1 (2016): 77-88.</ref> Let <math>\mathcal P</math> denote the description of a phenomenon <math>P</math>. |
| − | + | ;Definition 1: <math>P</math> exhibits an explanatory gap iff <math>\mathcal P</math> cannot be deduced (i.e. derived logically) from physical facts or physical theories. | |
| − | ;Definition: <math> | ||
| − | Here, <math> | + | Here, <math>P</math> usually denotes a type of [[phenomenal consciousness]] or a conception of [[qualia]], and "physical facts" or "physical theories" refer to the [[physical broadly construed]]. |
| − | The problem with the above definition is that deductive forms of explanations are not the only forms of explanation in science. While deductive forms were first thought to be prevalent | + | The problem with the above definition is that deductive forms of explanations are not the only forms of explanation in science. While deductive forms were first thought to be prevalent<ref>Hempel, Deductive Nomological Model of Explanation</ref>, there are in fact many other notions of explanation in use in science. |
| − | This point has been made particularly clear by | + | This point has been made particularly clear by<ref>Taylor, Elanor. "Explanation and the explanatory gap." Acta Analytica 31.1 (2016): 77-88.</ref>. She argues that explanatory gaps need to be studied relative to the different connotations of explanations that arguably are in use in science. Alternatively, it might be tempting to define an explanatory gap as in the next section. |
== Updated definition == | == Updated definition == | ||
| − | As a result of the above, one might be tempted to define an explanatory gap | + | As a result of the above, one might be tempted to define an explanatory gap as follows. Let again <math>\mathcal P</math> denote the description of a phenomenon <math>P</math>. |
| + | ;Definition 2: There is an ''explanatory gap'' between a phenomenon <math>P</math> and natural science iff <math>\mathcal P</math> violates a necessary condition of all notions of explanation that are considered valid in science. | ||
| + | |||
| + | = Existence = | ||
| + | |||
| + | It does not seem unreasonable that Definition 2 can actually be satisfied. In virtue of being scientific explanations, the various modes of explanation might make common assumptions. E.g., one such assumption could be that the phenomenon is intersubjectively accessible, which might not be the case for certain aspects of conscious experience. Cf. <ref>Kleiner, Johannes. "Mathematical Models of Consciousness." Entropy 22.6 (2020): 609.</ref> for one way of conceptualising this. | ||
| − | |||
| − | + | == References == | |
| + | <references /> | ||
Revision as of 22:42, 14 June 2020
Contents
Definitions
Conventional use of the term
In most of the existing literature, the following definition of explanatory gap is used:[1] Let denote the description of a phenomenon .
- Definition 1
- exhibits an explanatory gap iff cannot be deduced (i.e. derived logically) from physical facts or physical theories.
Here, usually denotes a type of phenomenal consciousness or a conception of qualia, and "physical facts" or "physical theories" refer to the physical broadly construed.
The problem with the above definition is that deductive forms of explanations are not the only forms of explanation in science. While deductive forms were first thought to be prevalent[2], there are in fact many other notions of explanation in use in science.
This point has been made particularly clear by[3]. She argues that explanatory gaps need to be studied relative to the different connotations of explanations that arguably are in use in science. Alternatively, it might be tempting to define an explanatory gap as in the next section.
Updated definition
As a result of the above, one might be tempted to define an explanatory gap as follows. Let again denote the description of a phenomenon .
- Definition 2
- There is an explanatory gap between a phenomenon and natural science iff violates a necessary condition of all notions of explanation that are considered valid in science.
Existence
It does not seem unreasonable that Definition 2 can actually be satisfied. In virtue of being scientific explanations, the various modes of explanation might make common assumptions. E.g., one such assumption could be that the phenomenon is intersubjectively accessible, which might not be the case for certain aspects of conscious experience. Cf. [4] for one way of conceptualising this.
References
- ↑ For the emphasis of deductive notions of explanation, cf. Taylor, Elanor. "Explanation and the explanatory gap." Acta Analytica 31.1 (2016): 77-88.
- ↑ Hempel, Deductive Nomological Model of Explanation
- ↑ Taylor, Elanor. "Explanation and the explanatory gap." Acta Analytica 31.1 (2016): 77-88.
- ↑ Kleiner, Johannes. "Mathematical Models of Consciousness." Entropy 22.6 (2020): 609.
