Explanation

An explanation is a statement which points to causes, context, and consequences of some object, process, state of affairs, etc., together with rules or laws that link these to the object. Some of these elements of the explanation may be implicit.

Explanations can only be given by those with understanding of the object which is explained.

In scientific research, explanation is one of three purposes of research (other two being exploration and description). Explanation is the discovery and reporting of relationships among different aspects of studied phenomenon.

Some different types of explanations:
* Deductive-nomological
* Functional
* Historical
* Psychological
* Reductive
* Teleological

See also

* Abductive reasoning
* Cogency
* Epistemology
* Explanandum and Explanans
* Inductive reasoning
* Inquiry
* Knowledge
* Scientific method

External links

* Theories of Explanation at The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
* Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on Scientific Explanation

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