The last post discussed the idea that understanding is an epistemic achievement distinct from knowledge. In particular, some philosophers have made the case that understanding doesn’t require truth. I focused in on one corollary of this idea: scientific understanding can be achieved via causal explanations that utilize idealization. This is possible because false characterizations in… Continue reading What Scientific Understanding Implies About Causation
Tag: Understanding
Thoughts on Scientific Understanding and Realism
I think one of the most helpful recent developments in philosophy has been the increased focus on understanding as an epistemic aim distinct from knowledge. For an overview, see Stephen Grimm’s new entry in the SEP. While I don’t specialize in epistemology, thinking about understanding has made some things clearer to me when it comes… Continue reading Thoughts on Scientific Understanding and Realism