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What is explanatory asymmetry?

Persson, Johannes LU orcid (2001) p.1-22
Abstract
The overall aim of this paper is to examine the claim that explanation is asymmetrical because causation is asymmetrical. The link between causal and explanatory asymmetry is focussed on. It is argued that many theories of causation account for causal asymmetry in a way that stops a causal model from contributing to our understanding of explanatory asymmetry. What appears to be generally advantageous with causal approaches

is normally true only of a few specific causal accounts. These remaining alternatives, however, may well have some less attractive features that would never be brought to mind in the familiar explanatory contexts of balloons, flag

poles, and the like—and with a standard concept of causation.
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
causal explanation
host publication
Explanatory Connections: Electronic essays dedicated to Matti Sintonen
editor
Kiikeri, Mika and Ylikoski, Petri
pages
1 - 22
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
923d9c95-c473-43b5-a00b-9a1f70576816 (old id 2061942)
alternative location
http://www.valt.helsinki.fi/kfil/matti/
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 14:30:16
date last changed
2025-04-04 14:41:39
@inbook{923d9c95-c473-43b5-a00b-9a1f70576816,
  abstract     = {{The overall aim of this paper is to examine the claim that explanation is asymmetrical because causation is asymmetrical. The link between causal and explanatory asymmetry is focussed on. It is argued that many theories of causation account for causal asymmetry in a way that stops a causal model from contributing to our understanding of explanatory asymmetry. What appears to be generally advantageous with causal approaches<br/><br>
is normally true only of a few specific causal accounts. These remaining alternatives, however, may well have some less attractive features that would never be brought to mind in the familiar explanatory contexts of balloons, flag<br/><br>
poles, and the like—and with a standard concept of causation.}},
  author       = {{Persson, Johannes}},
  booktitle    = {{Explanatory Connections: Electronic essays dedicated to Matti Sintonen}},
  editor       = {{Kiikeri, Mika and Ylikoski, Petri}},
  keywords     = {{causal explanation}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{1--22}},
  title        = {{What is explanatory asymmetry?}},
  url          = {{http://www.valt.helsinki.fi/kfil/matti/}},
  year         = {{2001}},
}