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Inferential explanations in biology
1Centre for Logic and Philosophy of Science, Ghent University, Blandijnberg 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Raoul.Gervais@UGent.be
Summary
Biological explanations often rely on generalisations, not just mechanisms. This study introduces "inferential explanations" for biological capacities, challenging the traditional view and highlighting their importance in scientific understanding.
Area of Science:
- Philosophy of Science
- Biology
Background:
- The dominant view posits that biological explanations require mechanistic models, moving beyond the deductive-nomological (DN) model.
- This mechanistic focus is challenged, suggesting a dichotomy that may be misleading.
Purpose of the Study:
- To challenge the strict dichotomy between deductive-nomological (DN) and mechanistic explanations in biology.
- To introduce and define "inferential explanations" as a distinct category of biological explanation.
- To demonstrate the utility and importance of non-mechanistic explanations in biological research.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of existing philosophical models of scientific explanation, particularly the DN model.
- Examination of biological capacities, specifically pigeon navigation and photoperiodism, as case studies.
- Argumentation for the validity and significance of inferential explanations in biological contexts.
Main Results:
- Identified biological capacities explained through stable generalizations rather than detailed mechanisms.
- Proposed "inferential explanations" that utilize generalizations and argument structures, distinct from the DN model.
- Demonstrated that these non-mechanistic explanations are sometimes the only available option.
Conclusions:
- The dichotomy between DN and mechanistic explanations is an oversimplification.
- Inferential explanations are crucial in biology, offering heuristic value and genuine understanding.
- These explanations are vital when mechanistic accounts are unavailable or incomplete.
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