ToKCast Ep 71: David Deutsch explains "explanations" further. (A "question for David" 2)
Jun 21, 2021
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Science Seeks Hard-to-Vary Explanations
- Science is about finding good explanations, not relying on repeated observations or inductions.
- Explanations must be testable and hard to vary to be valuable, beyond mere falsifiability.
Good Explanations Are Hard to Vary
- Good explanations are actual accounts that fit reality and are hard to vary without losing explanatory power.
- Testable theories alone are insufficient; explanations provide deeper understanding of phenomena.
Conjurer Example Illustrates Explanation
- The conjurer example shows the difference between predicting an outcome and explaining how it happens.
- Explanations reveal what causes observed effects, not just what is observed.