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International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Book | Chapter

196141

Interpretation in the natural sciences

Jan Faye

pp. 107-117

Abstract

The distinction between the natural sciences and the liberal arts is usually regarded as significant. Not only do they deal with ontologically distinct objects, but the ways they come to terms with these objects are very different. In philosophy of science there has been a focus on explanation, in contrast to interpretation, because providing explanation was thought to be a key issue in the natural sciences. Since Carl Hempel's seminal works on explanation, the world of philosophy has seen a growing body of literature devoted to explanation. The results have been prolific. Elsewhere I have argue in favour of a pragmatic-rhetorical theory of explanation, and it is in light of this theory that I suggest we can understand interpretation in the natural sciences (Faye 1999, 2007).

Publication details

Published in:

Surez Mauricio, Dorato Mauro, Rédei Miklós (2010) Epsa epistemology and methodology of science: launch of the European philosophy of science association. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 107-117

DOI: 10.1007/978-90-481-3263-8_9

Full citation:

Faye Jan (2010) „Interpretation in the natural sciences“, In: M. Surez, M. Dorato & M. Rédei (eds.), Epsa epistemology and methodology of science, Dordrecht, Springer, 107–117.