Explanation and Understanding (Contemporary Philosophy)

New
Paperback
2004
$59.76

Explanation and Understanding, perhaps von Wright's best-known book, showed the influence of Wittgenstein, but marked a clean break with the positivism of his youth. He suggested that human action could not be explained causally by scientific or 'natural' laws, but had to be understood 'intentionally'-a concept connected with wants and beliefs developed in a social and cultural context. -Daily Telegraph This is a very good book packed with much original material; it also contains illuminating reinterpretations of some familiar theories and arguments. The range of topics treated includes causation, action, verification of gnomic statements, practical inference and its use in the explanation of action, and the structure of explanation in history. -Philosophical Review

Synopsis

Explanation and Understanding, perhaps von Wright's best-known book, showed the influence of Wittgenstein, but marked a clean break with the positivism of his youth. He suggested that human action could not be explained causally by scientific or 'natural' laws, but had to be understood 'intentionally'-a concept connected with wants and beliefs developed in a social and cultural context. -Daily Telegraph This is a very good book packed with much original material; it also contains illuminating reinterpretations of some familiar theories and arguments. The range of topics treated includes causation, action, verification of gnomic statements, practical inference and its use in the explanation of action, and the structure of explanation in history. -Philosophical Review

$59.76

Quantity

20+ in stock

More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 230
Edition: New edition
Publisher: Cornell University Press
Published: 01 May 2004
ISBN 10: 0801489369
ISBN 13: 9780801489365

Media Reviews

Explanation and Understanding, perhaps von Wright's best-known book, showed the influence of Wittgenstein but marked a clean break with the positivism of his youth. He suggested that human action could not be explained causally by scientific or 'natural' laws, but had to be understood 'intentionally'-a concept connected with wants and beliefs developed in a social and cultural context. -Daily Telegraph
This is a very good book packed with much original material; it also contains illuminating reinterpretations of some familiar theories and arguments. The range of topics treated includes causation, action, verification of gnomic statements, practical inference and its use in the explanation of action, and the structure of explanation in history.-Philosophical Review