Explanation and Imperfect Laws in Biology

Abstract

Goudge introduces two types of explanations that challenge the standard models of explanation. These are “integrating explanations” and “narrative explanations.” The first two sections of this chapter are devoted to discussing these two types of explanation in turn to see if they establish that the positivist account of explanation is inadequate to account for what biological science does. The third and fourth sections deal with some further aspects of the axiomatic model and its applicability to biology.