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Experiential Explanation.
Sara Aronowitz1, Tania Lombrozo2
1University Center for Human Values & Program in Cognitive Science, Princeton University.
Topics in Cognitive Science
|August 3, 2019
Summary
Experiential explanations, like stories, aid learning and theory translation better than abstract ones. These narratives play a key role in human cognition and scientific understanding.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Philosophy of Science
- Psychology
Background:
- Traditional theories of explanation emphasize abstractive accounts, focusing on general relationships and omitting specific details.
- Experiential explanations, characterized by narratives and concrete details, are commonly used in everyday 'why-questions'.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distinct structures and epistemic functions of abstractive versus experiential explanations.
- To highlight the unique contributions of experiential explanations to individual learning and scientific progress.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis comparing abstractive and experiential explanation structures.
- Exploration of the cognitive roles of narrative and abstractive reasoning in knowledge acquisition.
Main Results:
- Experiential explanations differ structurally from abstractive ones, incorporating temporal elements and concrete details.
- Experiential explanations facilitate mental simulation and are robust across theoretical shifts, aiding learning and framework translation.
Conclusions:
- Experiential explanations play an essential, irreducible role in human cognition and scientific understanding.
- Both abstractive and experiential explanation types serve distinct and valuable epistemic goals.
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