Journal article 12 views
Unification and mathematical explanation
Rob Fraser 
Philosophical Studies, Volume: 178, Issue: 12, Pages: 3923 - 3943
Swansea University Author:
Rob Fraser
Full text not available from this repository: check for access using links below.
DOI (Published version): 10.1007/s11098-021-01631-2
Abstract
This paper provides a sorely-needed evaluation of the view that mathematical explanations in science explain by unifying. Illustrating with some novel examples, I argue that the view is misguided. For believers in mathematical explanations in science, my discussion rules out one way of spelling out...
| Published in: | Philosophical Studies |
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| ISSN: | 0031-8116 1573-0883 |
| Published: |
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
2021
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68390 |
| Abstract: |
This paper provides a sorely-needed evaluation of the view that mathematical explanations in science explain by unifying. Illustrating with some novel examples, I argue that the view is misguided. For believers in mathematical explanations in science, my discussion rules out one way of spelling out how they work, bringing us one step closer to the right way. For non-believers, it contributes to a divide-and-conquer strategy for showing that there are no such explanations in science. My discussion also undermines the appeal to unifying power in support of the enhanced indispensability argument. |
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| Keywords: |
Mathematical explanation; Unification; Explanatory power; Intuitions; Methodology |
| College: |
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Funders: |
British Academy |
| Issue: |
12 |
| Start Page: |
3923 |
| End Page: |
3943 |