Cited by 120Philosophy and History of ScienceEpistemology, Ethics, and MetaphysicsPhilosophy, Science, and History

The Instrumental Value of Explanations

Lombrozo, Tania·2011·Philosophy Compass

Abstract

Scientific and ‘intuitive’ or ‘folk’ theories are typically characterized as serving three critical functions: prediction, explanation, and control. While prediction and control have clear instrumental value, the value of explanation is less transparent. This paper reviews an emerging body of research from the cognitive sciences suggesting that the process of seeking, generating, and evaluating explanations in fact contributes to future prediction and control, albeit indirectly by facilitating the discovery and confirmation of instrumentally valuable theories. Theoretical and empirical considerations also suggest why explanations may nonetheless feel intrinsically valuable. The paper concludes by considering some implications of the psychology of explanation for a naturalized philosophy of explanation.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1747-9991.2011.00413.x

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68 of 68 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • We are particularly interested in causal explanations because they provide us with reliable means to affect and predict our surroundings.

    “Philosophical and empirical research has converged on the thesis that we are particularly interested in causal explanations because they provide us with reliable means to affect and predict our surroundings”

    From AI, Opacity, and Personal Autonomy (2022) · cites this paper as Lombrozo, 2011

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Authors
Lombrozo, T.
Affiliations
University of California System (US)
Corresponding author
Lombrozo, Tania
Venue
Philosophy Compass
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2011-08
Volume
6
Issue
8
Pages
539-551
ISSN
1747-9991 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1903964690
Cited by
118
References
69
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 4
FWCI
14.32
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Philosophy Compass (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History and Philosophy of Science › Philosophy and History of Science
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Epistemology, Ethics, and Metaphysics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History and Philosophy of Science › Philosophy, Science, and History
Keywords
explanation, prediction, control, folk theories, scientific theories, cognitive science, theory evaluation

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