Difference between revisions of "Explanation in science"
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| − | '''Explanation in [[science]]''' is a description of the unknown in terms of the [[knowledge|known]].<ref name="DismantlingBB">{{cite book|author=Alex Williams, John Hartnett|title=Dismantling the Big Bang|publisher=Master Books|location=Green Forest, AR, USA|year=2005|page=128|pages=346|isbn=978-0-89051-437-5|url=http://books.google.no/books?id=FR7basoxkSwC&printsec=frontcover&dq=hartnett+dismantling+the+big+bang&hl=en&sa=X&ei=JvNwT_6nJJOP4gTP6fG_Ag&sqi=2&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=hartnett%20dismantling%20the%20big%20bang&f=false|quote=}}</ref> When an explanation is so supple that it can explain any behavior, it is difficult to test it [[experimental science|experimentally]], much less use it as a catalyst for [[scientific discovery]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Philip Skell |title=Why Do We Invoke Darwin?|publisher=The Scientist|date=August 29, 2005 |url=http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/16649/title/Why-Do-We-Invoke-Darwin-/|accessdate=June 13, 2013}}</ref> | + | '''Explanation in [[science]]''' is a description of the unknown in terms of the [[knowledge|known]].<ref name="DismantlingBB">{{cite book|author=Alex Williams, John Hartnett|title=Dismantling the Big Bang|publisher=Master Books|location=Green Forest, AR, USA|year=2005|page=128|pages=346|isbn=978-0-89051-437-5|url=http://books.google.no/books?id=FR7basoxkSwC&printsec=frontcover&dq=hartnett+dismantling+the+big+bang&hl=en&sa=X&ei=JvNwT_6nJJOP4gTP6fG_Ag&sqi=2&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=hartnett%20dismantling%20the%20big%20bang&f=false|quote=}}</ref> When an explanation is so supple that it can explain any behavior, it is difficult to test it [[experimental science|experimentally]], much less use it as a catalyst for [[scientific discovery]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Philip Skell |title=Why Do We Invoke Darwin?|publisher=The Scientist|date=August 29, 2005 |url=http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/16649/title/Why-Do-We-Invoke-Darwin-/|accessdate=June 13, 2013}}</ref> Explanation in science, and anywhere else, if it is to avoid an [[infinite regress]], always lead to certain things that are regarded as [[First cause|ultimate]].<ref name="LENNOX">{{cite book |
| + | |author=John C. Lennox | ||
| + | |title=God's undertaker. Has science buried God? | ||
| + | |publisher=Lion Hudson | ||
| + | |location=Oxford, England | ||
| + | |year=2009 | ||
| + | |pages=186 | ||
| + | |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=jaV4gLt24HYC | ||
| + | |isbn=978-0-7459-5371-7 | ||
| + | |quote=}}</ref> | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 18:02, May 31, 2015
Explanation in science is a description of the unknown in terms of the known.[1] When an explanation is so supple that it can explain any behavior, it is difficult to test it experimentally, much less use it as a catalyst for scientific discovery.[2] Explanation in science, and anywhere else, if it is to avoid an infinite regress, always lead to certain things that are regarded as ultimate.[3]
References
- ↑ Alex Williams, John Hartnett (2005). Dismantling the Big Bang. Green Forest, AR, USA: Master Books, 346. ISBN 978-0-89051-437-5.
- ↑ Philip Skell (August 29, 2005). Why Do We Invoke Darwin?. The Scientist. Retrieved on June 13, 2013.
- ↑ John C. Lennox (2009). God's undertaker. Has science buried God?. Oxford, England: Lion Hudson, 186. ISBN 978-0-7459-5371-7.