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On the D-N Model of Scientific Explanation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2022

I. A. Omer
I. A. Omer*
Affiliation:
University College, Cambridge University†
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Abstract

This paper discusses the D-N model of scientific explanation. It is suggested that explanation is a part of assertive discourse where certain principles must be observed. Then use is made of the relation between the informative content and logical content of a sentence (as shown, for instance, by Popper) to draw some of the conditions necessary for a sound model. It is claimed that the conditions of the model proposed in the present paper exhaust the insights of the papers in the literature, solve the difficulties encountered by other authors, but have some damaging consequences on the D-N model of scientific explanation.

Type
Research Article
Information
Philosophy of Science , Volume 37 , Issue 3 , September 1970 , pp. 417 - 433
Copyright
Copyright © 1970 by The Philosophy of Science Association

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Footnotes

†

An earlier version of this paper has been read to the History and Philosophy of Science Seminar at the University of Cambridge. I am indebted to Professor R. B. Braithwaite, Professor E. McMullin, Dr. M. B. Hesse, Mr. G. M. K. Hunt, Mr. L. Gibson and Mr. A. J. Matthew for critical discussions. My especial indebtedness is to Dr. D. H. Mellor for helpful critical discussions and valuable suggestions while writing this paper.

When writing this paper the author held a British Council Scholarship.

References

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