Talk (Work in Progress): Insok Ko (Inha University)

Title:

Explanation by Simulation

Abstract:

Can we give a scientific explanation for an accident of self-drivingvehicle by computer simulation? If such an explanation is possible, what is thestructure of the explanation? These are the questions addressed in this talk. Idescribe the structure of an explanation by simulation (EbS), starting from a viewpointthat scientific explanation of an event consists in showing, applying ourscientific knowledge in diverse levels, that the occurrence of the explanandumevent was so natural under the given conditions that it will not trigger awhy-question, or in other words, that it has been rationally expected as anatural consequence of the antecedent conditions. EbS seems to realize those virtuesof scientific explanation that have been recognized in the discussions inphilosophy of science. I will also examine some potential criticisms that canbe raised on EbS.