Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1992
Source
Derr, P., & Thompson, N. S. (1992). Reconstruing Hempelian Motivational Explanations. Behavior and Philosophy, 20(1), 37–45.
Abstract
When motivational explanations are cast in the Hempelian form, motivations and other mental states usually play the role of antecedent conditions. This leads to two objections: (1) that there is a question-begging connection between the explanandum and the antecedent conditions referring to mental states, and (2) that the intentional character of motivational explanations prevents them from being scientifically useful. These objections are mooted if claims about motivational states are construed as covering laws rather than as statements of antecedent conditions are as covering laws rather than as statements of antecedent conditions.
Repository Citation
Thompson, Nicholas S., "Reconstruing Hempelian Motivational Explanations" (1992). Faculty Works. 78.
https://commons.clarku.edu/facultyworks/78
Rights and Permissions
© 1993 Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies (CCBS)