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First Position Paper

In this assignment we are asked if the given experiment fits into the criteria for

the D-N model of explanation. The answer to this is no, a solid and strong no. B !sing

the criteria set down " #emple and $ppenheim I can prove that this explanation does fit

the model !ntil o! tr to explain the weight of the o"%ect " the deflection it ca!sed.

The assignment explains a sit!ation in which a weight is placed on a steel "eam

and the deflection of the "eam to the weight is ded!ctivel derived. $ne iss!e raised is

the whether or not o! can explain the weight of the o"%ect " taking the deflection of the

"eam as an antecedent condition !nder # and $s& criteria. $n page '() of *+t!dies in

the ogic of xplanations, # and $ state that an antecedent condition m!st "e reali/ed

prior to or d!ring the phenomenon in 0!estion. +o " stating the deflection of the "eam

as an antecedent condition so far doesn&t "reak an r!les "eca!se it occ!rs d!ring the

phenomenon.

$n page '(1 # and $ give more r!les for what is re0!ired to "e an antecedent

condition. $ne of these is that the m!st contain some empirical data, th!s allowing for

reprod!ction of the experiment. If we are to consider the deflection of the "eam as an

empirical answer along with the other information given, we can ass!me that this does

not "reak that r!le.

2et another r!le set down " # and $ is that the explanans m!st also incl!de

general laws along with antecedent conditions. In this experiment general laws are given

incl!ding the laws of gravitation and general science. $nce again these f!lfill the

re0!irements for proper explanans, leaving no area !ncovered.

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3s for the explanand!m part of the experiment is concerned, the onl r!le is that

it m!st "e logicall ded!ci"le from the explanans. Taking this into consideration the

apparent deflection of the "eam is a logical conse0!ence for the weight placed on top of

it, and visa versa, th!s f!lfilling this re0!irement.

The most definitive part of *+t!dies in the ogic of xplanation in regards to this

assignment deals with wh the phenomenon occ!rs, as disc!ssed on page '(). The

0!estion now posed is does the deflection explains the weight of the o"%ect. The

deflection itself doesn&t constit!te a proper explanation for the weight of the o"%ect.

ven tho!gh the second part of the experiment co!ld f!lfill the logical and empirical

conditions for ade0!ac as shown a"ove, it can&t explain the weight of the o"%ect "ased

solel on that. The weight "eing placed on the "eam is a logical explanation of wh the

"eam "ent inwards, "!t the "ending of the "eam d!e to the weight does not explain the

weight of the o"%ect itself. The onl wa to explain the weight of the o"%ect is "

reference to the gravitational laws in place on said o"%ect. Th!sl o! are !na"le to

properl explain the weight of the o"%ect !sing the deflection the o"%ect ca!sed. This

destros the p!rpose of the explanation "eca!se o! can onl fig!re o!t what the weight

is and not explain wh it is.