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Related Concept Videos

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A circle in the coordinate plane is defined as the set of all points that lie at a constant distance, known as the radius, from a fixed point called the center. This relationship is captured using the distance formula. For a point (x, y) on the circle and a center (h, k), the distance between them equals the radius r. By squaring both sides of the distance formula, the equation of the circle is written in standard form:Constructing the Equation from Geometric InformationIf the center and the...
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Mohr's Circle for Plane Strain01:18

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Mohr's circle is a crucial graphical method used to analyze plane strain by plotting strain on a set of cartesian coordinates, where the abscissa is normal strain ∈ and the ordinate is shear strain γ. Similarly to Mohr’s circle for plane stress, two points X and Y are plotted. Their coordinates are (∈x, -γXY) and (∈Y, γXY), respectively.
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Mohr's circle is a graphical method for determining an area's principal moments by plotting the moments and product of inertia on a rectangular coordinate system. This circle can also be used to calculate the orientation of the principal axes.
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Counterfactual thinking is a cognitive process wherein individuals mentally reconstruct alternative versions of past events, often beginning with “what if” or “if only.” This reflective mechanism plays a significant role in shaping emotional experiences and guiding future behavior. Though typically triggered by unfavorable or unexpected outcomes, counterfactual thinking can also emerge in mundane, everyday decisions and experiences, revealing its deep entrenchment in...
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Breaking the explanatory circle.

Michael Townsen Hicks1

  • 1University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.

Philosophical Studies
|January 14, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Arguments against Humeanism regarding causal explanation are based on flawed assumptions. This study demonstrates how embracing non-direct law involvement in scientific explanations and contrastive explanation sidesteps these critiques.

Area of Science:

  • Philosophy of Science
  • Metaphysics
  • Causal Explanation

Background:

  • Humeanism faces criticism for positing laws that allegedly fail to explain or lead to circularity.
  • Existing arguments against Humeanism often rely on specific, and potentially flawed, conceptions of causal explanation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To challenge the validity of explanation-based arguments against Humeanism.
  • To propose alternative frameworks for understanding causal explanation that resolve common criticisms.

Main Methods:

  • Critically analyze common assumptions about causal explanation in the context of Humeanism.
  • Introduce and defend two independent commitments: laws not directly featuring in explanation and explanation being contrastive.
  • Demonstrate how these commitments neutralize explanation-based objections to Humeanism.
Keywords:
CausationCircularity objectionExplanationGroundingHumeanismLaws of natureMetaphysical explanationMetaphysicsMetaphysics of science

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Main Results:

  • Explanation-based arguments against Humeanism are shown to be based on mistaken assumptions about causal explanation.
  • The proposed commitments (non-direct law involvement and contrastive explanation) offer a robust way to avoid these criticisms.
  • The efficacy of these commitments is demonstrated independently of adherence to Humeanism.

Conclusions:

  • The perceived explanatory failures of Humean laws are not inherent to Humeanism but stem from a misunderstanding of causal explanation.
  • Adopting a view where laws do not directly feature in scientific explanations and embracing contrastive explanation provides a strong defense against common objections.
  • This approach reframes the debate on Humeanism and causal explanation, offering new avenues for philosophical inquiry.