Backwards explanation |
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| Authors: | C S Jenkins Daniel Nolan |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Philosophy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK |
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| Abstract: | We discuss explanation of an earlier event by a later event, and argue that prima facie cases of backwards event explanation
are ubiquitous. Some examples: (1) I am tidying my flat because my brother is coming to visit tomorrow. (2) The scarlet pimpernels
are closing because it is about to rain. (3) The volcano is smoking because it is going to erupt soon. We then look at various
ways people might attempt to explain away these prima facie cases by arguing that in each case the ‘real’ explanation is something
else. We argue that none of the explaining-away strategies are successful, and so any plausible account of explanation should
either make room for backwards explanation, or have a good story to tell about why it doesn’t have to.
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| Keywords: | Explanation Teleology Functional explanation |
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