Experiential Explanation.

Topics in Cognitive Science
Sara Aronowitz, Tania Lombrozo

Abstract

People often answer why-questions with what we call experiential explanations: narratives or stories with temporal structure and concrete details. In contrast, on most theories of the epistemic function of explanation, explanations should be abstractive: structured by general relationships and lacking extraneous details. We suggest that abstractive and experiential explanations differ not only in level of abstraction, but also in structure, and that each form of explanation contributes to the epistemic goals of individual learners and of science. In particular, experiential explanations support mental simulation and survive transitions across background theories; as a result, they support learning and help us translate between competing frameworks. Experiential explanations play an irreducible role in human cognition-and perhaps in science.

References

Feb 1, 1957·Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry·W B SCOVILLE, B MILNER
Dec 2, 2005·Annual Review of Psychology·Frank C Keil
May 2, 2006·New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development·Catherine E Snow, Diane E Beals
Mar 31, 2007·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Daniel L Schacter, Donna Rose Addis
Jan 17, 2009·Neuron·Larry R Squire
May 5, 2010·Psychological Review·Yaacov Trope, Nira Liberman
May 14, 2011·Cognitive Science·Joseph J Williams, Tania Lombrozo
Apr 21, 2012·Psychological Science·Boaz KeysarSun Gyu An
Aug 13, 2013·Brain and Language·Christopher A Kurby, Jeffrey M Zacks
Sep 1, 2013·Perspectives on Psychological Science : a Journal of the Association for Psychological Science·Erin M BurgoonArthur B Markman
Apr 9, 2016·Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin·Kristi A Costabile
Dec 25, 2016·Cognition·Caren M Walker, Tania Lombrozo
Mar 10, 2017·Memory·Karen L CampbellDaniel L Schacter
May 13, 2017·Psychonomic Bulletin & Review·Christos BechlivanidisSteven Sloman
Jun 20, 2017·The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology : QJEP·Mitchell Rabinowitz, Jaclin Gerstel-Friedman
Jan 1, 2016·Journal of Cognition and Development : Official Journal of the Cognitive Development Society·Brandy N FrazierHenry M Wellman
May 29, 2018·NeuroImage·Natasha ParikhFelipe De Brigard
Aug 2, 2018·Topics in Cognitive Science·Piek VossenAgata Cybulska

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Aug 9, 2019·Topics in Cognitive Science·Andrea Bender
May 26, 2020·Topics in Cognitive Science·Matteo Colombo, Markus Knauff

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Brain and Cognition
E Miyawaki
Epidemiologia e prevenzione
Bruna De Marchi
Environmental Science & Technology
W H Glaze
Medical Education
D Dunn, M Chaput de Saintonge
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved