PHIL808M: Varieties of Explanation

Harjit Bhogal

Course Summary

Nearly every area of systematic intellectual enquiry centrally involves explanation. We explain the pattern of marks on a phosphorescent screen by appealing to facts about the quantum mechanical nature of the electrons that were fired at the screen. We explain why inflation rose by noting that consumers are more confident about their economic prospects, leading them to spend more. We explain why you can't untie this knot without cutting it by mathematically proving that it cannot be done. We explain why this painting is lively by describing features of the brush strokes. We explain why it's normally wrong to punch someone in the face by noting that punching people causes them pain. We explain why there's table here by noting that there is a large collections of atoms arranged in a particular configuration here. We explain why Hitler acted the way he did by saying that he was evil. We also explain why Hitler acted the way he did by telling the story of his upbringing and his rise to power.

In this course we are going to consider this variety of explanations. We will look at accounts of what makes for an explanation in a variety of different fields. Further, we will discuss how these types of explanation compare, and interact with each other.

In particular, we will cover scientific explanation, both physical and special scientific; metaphysical explanation; mathematical explanation; normative explanation and maybe other types of explanation depending on the interests of the participants (perhaps aesthetic, narrative, economic, historical or anthropological explanation).

Course Information

Instructor Harjit Bhogal Class Room SKN 1116 Lecture Time Mon 3-5:30

HB Office Hours Friday 10-12 on Zoom, or by appointment HB Zoom ID 663 599 6109 HB Email bhogal@umd.edu

Texts

Readings with be posted on ELMS/linked to from here.

Assignments

There will be one paper on any topic related to the course. The paper is worth 80% of the final grade and is due one month after the last day of the semester – that is 6/8.

Those enrolled for credit will be expected to come to class with at least two questions about each reading for that session, and more generally, should be ready to discuss the details of the readings. This type of class participation is worth 20%.

Policies

Policies relevant to graduate courses are found here. Topics that are addressed in these various policies include academic integrity, student and instructor conduct, accessibility and accommodations, attendance and excused absences, grades and appeals, copyright and intellectual property.

The use of AI writing tools like ChatGPT is not allowed.