UCLA Philosophy 8 Final Questions and Correct Solutions

UCLA Philosophy 8 Final Questions and Correct Solutions Explanans of an Explanation - Answer -The fact(s) that explain the explanandum Explanandum of an Explanation - Answer -The fact to be explained Covering-Law Model of Explanation (Deductive Nomological Model) - Answer -By Carl Hempel and Paul Oppenheim -An explanation is like a prediction that shows why the phenomenon should be expected Four features required of an explanation in the Covering-Law Model - Answer -1. An explanation is a type of argument with the explanans as the premise(s) and the explanandum as the conclusion 2. The explanans must contain at least one general law of nature, and the law of nature must be required in the argument such that the explanandum would not follow without it 3. The premises must be true 4. The explanans must have "empirical content" Main Criticism of the DNM (Flagpole Example) - Answer -The DNM cannot capture the asymmetry of explanation: The DNM says I can predict the height of a flagpole from the length of the shadow, but I cannot explain why. Also, it is not clear what a law of nature is. Scientific Revolution Acc. To Thomas Kuhn - Answer -When one dominant paradigm is replaced with another. Will not happen unless there is a crisis in the old paradigm that appears as a new possibility for scientific attention. In a sense, the old paradigm is falsified when the shift happens since no one continues to take the old paradigm seriously. But, contrary to what Popper thinks, it could not be falsified before something new appears that might take its place. What happens in a scientific revolution? - Answer -Old paradigm has a crisis, appears as a new possibility for scientific attention. Things are lost as well as gained. New paradigm replaces the old. What sorts of metaphors does Kuhn use to describe the shift of a scientific revolution? - Answer -Kuhn