Why explanations can’t explain themselves
3rd eidos meeting, Geneva, December 20-21 2007
Philipp Keller
A common assumption
“Why can’t there be a self-explanatory explanation? Because there cannot be.”
Are all instances of (1)false?
(1) because of
Reasons given for irreflexivity
1. Triviality 2. Circularity 3. Regress
4. Well-foundedness 5. Asymmetry byfiat
(Apparent?) examples of self-explanations
1. Synonyms:
(2) He lives next to a bachelor because he lives next to an unmarried man 2. Singular propositions
(3) Lois Lane loves Clark Kent because she loves Superman (4) I am the messy shopper because Philipp is the messy shopper 3. Metaphysically loaded propositions:
(5) falls under the concept of an because is . (6) is a member of the set of all because is . (7) It is a fact that is because is .
(8) participates in the universal -nessbecause is .
(9) A trope inheres in that instantiates the type -N(SSbecause is . (10) exemplifiesbeing because is .
4. Conceptual connections:
(11) This is triangular because this is trilateral.
(12) This is trilateral because this is triangular.
1
p p
a F a F
a F a F
a F a F
a F a F
a F a F
a F a F
(13) Socrates is a widow because Socrates’ wife died.
(14) It is not possible that Socrates is immortal because it is necessary that Socrates is mortal.
5. Formal concepts:
(15) “ ” is true because
(16) the n. of = the n. of because there is a 1-1 c. between s and s 6. Philosophical analyses:
Humphrey might have won.
p p
F G F G
⇐⇒ ∃x(xis a counterpart of Humphrey∧xwins) A⊂B ⇐⇒ is a part of
is white
A B
a ⇐⇒ ∃x(xis a whiteness trope∧xinheres ina) exists
a ⇐⇒ is present
knows that
a
a p ⇐⇒ a has the true justified belief that is free in doing
a p
a φ ⇐⇒ could have done otherwise than doing 7. circular definitions
is a sibling
a φ
x 1ofy :⇐⇒ has the same parents as
is a sister of
x y
x y :⇐⇒ xis a sibling1ofy∧ is female is a brother of
x x y :⇐⇒ xis a sibling1ofy∧ is male
is a sibling
x
x 2ofy :⇐⇒ xis a sister ofy∨ is a brother of
2
x y
