The PSR and the folk metaphysics of explanation
Shaun Nichols (Cornell University)

part of: XPHI UK Work in progress workshop series, Autumn to Winter 2024-25
October 9, 2024, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Go to conference's page

This event is online

Organisers:

University of Manchester
University of East Anglia

Topic areas

Details

Oct 9, 16-18 UTC+1, Shaun Nichols (Cornell), The PSR and the folk metaphysics of explanation

Abstract: There just has to be an explanation. This familiar commonsense refrain resonates with the Principle of Sufficient Reason (PSR), according to which, for every fact, there must be an explanation of that fact. In this talk, I’ll report several studies which indicate that people’s judgments conform to the PSR. This holds for adults in the US and children in the US; it also seems to hold for adults in China and India. However, we have found that judgments vary by domain: people are less committed to the idea that aesthetic and moral facts must have explanations.   

Supporting material

Add supporting material (slides, programs, etc.)

Reminders

Registration

No

Who is attending?

No one has said they will attend yet.

Will you attend this event?


Let us know so we can notify you of any change of plan.