Oxford University Press eBooks,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 81 - 118
Published: April 1, 2025
Abstract
This
chapter
develops
the
second
part
of
my
philosophical
framework
for
analyzing
particularist
explanations.
The
basic
idea
is
that
constructing
a
scientific
explanation
collaborative
activity.
I
use
resources
from
social
action
theory
to
explicate
this
idea.
first
presents
basics
philosophy
with
detailed
example
(Section
3.1)
and
survey
major
theories
3.2).
Building
on
latter,
propose
an
original
account
activity,
which
implies
norms
participants’
attitudes
3.3).
Applied
case
explanatory
model-construction
in
epistemic
community,
yields
general
EP-explanation.
Section
3.4
examines
normative
grounds
account,
setting
stage
Part
II.
final
section
integrates
activity
Chapter
2,
yielding
full
particularism
3.5).
Oxford University Press eBooks,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: April 1, 2025
Abstract
Explanatory
Particularism
presents
an
alternative
approach
to
studying
explanation
across
the
sciences.
On
this
view,
explanations
are
local,
context-dependent
achievements
of
particular
scientific
communities,
reflecting
latter’s
epistemic
values,
images
understanding,
and
other
contextual
features.
Values
associated
with
understanding
vary
widely
within
communities
over
time.
The
particularist
has
implications
for
theories
social
action
collaboration,
interdisciplinary
research
in
practice.
Results
include
practical
guidelines
“low-effort
interdisciplinarity,”
aspects
collaborative
norms
that
complement
more
traditional
empiricism.
account
is
illustrated
detailed
case
studies
COVID-19
immunology
vaccines,
systems
models
vs.
lab-based
approaches,
complexes
model-based
among
life
Oxford University Press eBooks,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 121 - 152
Published: April 1, 2025
Abstract
This
chapter
applies
the
explanatory
particularist
account
from
Part
I
to
an
important
class
of
cases
in
scientific
practice:
interdisciplinary
research.
first
survey
background
for
this
application:
empirical
and
philosophical
studies
interdisciplinarity
(Section
4.1).
Next,
argue
that
ideas
comport
well
with
key
results
literature,
offer
several
new
insights
4.2).
Section
4.3
goes
deeper
applying
I’s
framework,
focusing
on
EPM
taxonomy
model–model
relations
Chapter
2.
use
latter
classify
research
projects
relevant
explanation/understanding,
setting
up
a
challenge
explanation
(IDE)
my
response.
application
shows
role
explanation/understanding
research,
some
apparent
objections
EP
are
actually
advantages.
Features
practice
seem
incompatible
particularism
fact
support
view.
Oxford University Press eBooks,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 322 - 332
Published: April 1, 2025
Abstract
This
short
concluding
chapter
summarizes
the
book’s
argument
and
key
results.
Three
themes
are
throughlines
for
entire
book:
explanation
as
collaborative
process
product,
diversity
epistemic
resource,
engaging
scientific
practice.
Philosophical
study
of
guided
by
those
three
departs
from
tradition,
but
rejects
only
monist
assumptions—not
other
theories
explanation.
Instead,
repurposed
resources
particularist
studies,
illustrated
in
Chapters
7–8.
reviews
overall
goals
judges
them
to
have
been
met:
exploring
idea
that
is
a
form
activity;
showing
benefits
diverse
specialized
explanations;
reconfiguring
relation
between
philosophical
theory
I
then
summarize
results
Parts
II
(see
earlier
summaries).
The
concludes
with
an
open-ended
list
cases
future
work
using
EP’s
framework
insights.
Oxford University Press eBooks,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 81 - 118
Published: April 1, 2025
Abstract
This
chapter
develops
the
second
part
of
my
philosophical
framework
for
analyzing
particularist
explanations.
The
basic
idea
is
that
constructing
a
scientific
explanation
collaborative
activity.
I
use
resources
from
social
action
theory
to
explicate
this
idea.
first
presents
basics
philosophy
with
detailed
example
(Section
3.1)
and
survey
major
theories
3.2).
Building
on
latter,
propose
an
original
account
activity,
which
implies
norms
participants’
attitudes
3.3).
Applied
case
explanatory
model-construction
in
epistemic
community,
yields
general
EP-explanation.
Section
3.4
examines
normative
grounds
account,
setting
stage
Part
II.
final
section
integrates
activity
Chapter
2,
yielding
full
particularism
3.5).
