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Explanation-by-norms

Felix, Cathrine V. LU (2019) In Humanities Bulletin 2(2). p.9-21
Abstract
Philosophers’ search for the best way to explain human actions has led many to accept a core psychological model that can be supplemented by other forms of action explanation when needed. Rather than settling for this model –where everything ultimately hinges on psychologicalexplanation – this paper argues for a pluralistic view. It does not claim that the psychological view is wrong, only that it is not as universally applicable as it is often taken to be. Explanation-by-norms is suggested as an important form of explanationin its own right. It explains actions by revealing how they conform to norms and patterns and become intelligible in light of them. Explanation-by-norms is shown to be especially salient in the case... (More)
Philosophers’ search for the best way to explain human actions has led many to accept a core psychological model that can be supplemented by other forms of action explanation when needed. Rather than settling for this model –where everything ultimately hinges on psychologicalexplanation – this paper argues for a pluralistic view. It does not claim that the psychological view is wrong, only that it is not as universally applicable as it is often taken to be. Explanation-by-norms is suggested as an important form of explanationin its own right. It explains actions by revealing how they conform to norms and patterns and become intelligible in light of them. Explanation-by-norms is shown to be especially salient in the case of slips.
(Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
Philosophers’ search for the best way to explain human actions has led many to accept a core psychological model that can be supplemented by other forms of action explanation when needed. Rather than settling for this model – where everything ultimately hinges on psychological explanation – this paper argues for a pluralistic view. It does not claim that the psychological view is wrong, only that it is not as universally applicable as it is often taken to be. Explanation-by-norms is suggested as an important form of explanation in its own right. It explains actions by revealing how they conform to norms and patterns and become intelligible in light of them. Explanation-by-norms is shown to be especially salient in the case of slips.
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author
organization
alternative title
Explanation-by-norms
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Action explanation, norms, slips, belief/desire model, rationalization, Michael Smith, Donald Davidson.
in
Humanities Bulletin
volume
2
issue
2
pages
9 - 21
ISSN
2517-4266
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
f7825e66-a80f-45f3-965d-2ddf615f2293
alternative location
https://www.journals.lapub.co.uk/index.php/HB/article/view/1239
date added to LUP
2019-12-09 10:29:25
date last changed
2019-12-16 10:54:45
@article{f7825e66-a80f-45f3-965d-2ddf615f2293,
  abstract     = {{Philosophers’ search for the best way to explain human actions has led many to accept a core psychological model that can be supplemented by other forms of action explanation when needed. Rather   than   settling   for   this   model –where   everything   ultimately  hinges   on   psychologicalexplanation – this paper argues for a pluralistic view. It does not claim that the psychological view is wrong, only that it is not as universally applicable as it is often taken to be. Explanation-by-norms is suggested as an important form of explanationin its own right. It explains actions by revealing how they conform to norms and patterns and become intelligible in light of them. Explanation-by-norms is shown to be especially salient in the case of slips.<br/>}},
  author       = {{Felix, Cathrine V.}},
  issn         = {{2517-4266}},
  keywords     = {{Action explanation, norms, slips, belief/desire model, rationalization, Michael Smith, Donald Davidson.}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{11}},
  number       = {{2}},
  pages        = {{9--21}},
  series       = {{Humanities Bulletin}},
  title        = {{Explanation-by-norms}},
  url          = {{https://www.journals.lapub.co.uk/index.php/HB/article/view/1239}},
  volume       = {{2}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}