Partial Explanation in Philosophy
Date
2020-06-08
Authors
Oakley, Alec
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
We sometimes wish to explain something partially, or say what something is in part. My having knowledge can be partially explained by my having a true belief; but this does not wholly explain it. And part of what it is to be me is to be human; but this does not exhaust my identity. I construe these as examples of partial ground and partial essence, respectively. Ground and essence have seen a resurgence of interest in recent years. However, their partial counterparts remain underexplored. My project engages in an especially vital question; namely, whether each partial ground or essence must be part of some full ground or essence. If yes, then we partially explain knowledge in terms of true belief because there is a full explanation of knowledge, of which true belief is a part. Likewise, being human is a part of what it is to be me because there is a full, individuating identity of me, of which being human is a part. As it turns out, many debates regarding features ground and essence may have turn on this question. The project thus promises to contribute to these debates. Moreover, I hope the project will expose the depth to which the two notions are connected. The project also has direct import to philosophy more generally; if the account given of partial ground and essence is ultimately denied, the scope of philosophical inquiry is broadened accordingly: even in cases which do not permit of full explication, partial explanations may exist.
Description
Keywords
Philosophy, Explanation, Analysis, Ground, Essence, Mereology