{"title":"Analytic versus Synthetic Understanding","authors":"P. Humphreys","doi":"10.1093/OSO/9780199334872.003.0017","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"It is argued that understanding is an epistemically more important concept than explanation. Two kinds of understanding are discussed, that based on analysis of the explanandum and a kind that is based on a synthetic method. The distinction between primary and secondary understanding shows that who is asking the why question is of central importance. A problem for causation is introduced that revolves around the degree of isolation that is needed to identify a causal factor and to distinguish causes from their carriers. It is shown that the analytic and synthetic approach can deal with partial understanding, that there can be an increase in understanding without an explanation, and that laws are not necessary for understanding.","PeriodicalId":46780,"journal":{"name":"Philosophical Papers","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.5000,"publicationDate":"2019-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"2","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Philosophical Papers","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1093/OSO/9780199334872.003.0017","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"0","JCRName":"PHILOSOPHY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 2
Abstract
It is argued that understanding is an epistemically more important concept than explanation. Two kinds of understanding are discussed, that based on analysis of the explanandum and a kind that is based on a synthetic method. The distinction between primary and secondary understanding shows that who is asking the why question is of central importance. A problem for causation is introduced that revolves around the degree of isolation that is needed to identify a causal factor and to distinguish causes from their carriers. It is shown that the analytic and synthetic approach can deal with partial understanding, that there can be an increase in understanding without an explanation, and that laws are not necessary for understanding.
期刊介绍：
Philosophical Papers is an international, generalist journal of philosophy edited in South Africa Original Articles: Articles appearing in regular issues are original, high-quality, and stand-alone, and are written for the general professional philosopher. Submissions are welcome in any area of philosophy and undergo a process of peer review based on initial editor screening and refereeing by (usually) two referees. Special Issues: Topic-based special issues are comprised of both invited and submitted papers selected by guest editors. Recent special issues have included ''Philosophy''s Therapeutic Potential'' (2014, editor Dylan Futter); ''Aging and the Elderly'' (2012, editors Tom Martin and Samantha Vice); ''The Problem of the Criterion'' (2011, editor Mark Nelson); ''Retributive Emotions'' (2010, editor Lucy Allais); ‘Rape and its Meaning/s’ (2009, editor Louise du Toit). Calls for papers for upcoming special issues can be found here. Ideas for future special issues are welcome.
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