A virtual event with Marina Ludwigs, Stockholm University
A narrative under the guise of a genetic explanation has a place in science when it comes to describing uncaused events, which we cannot otherwise ascribe to a known law or regularity (such as the Big Bang). A genetic explanation, in this case, “consists in telling a story leading up to the event to be described” (Kitcher, Scientific Explanation). I will argue that this particular use of the narrative explanation is illegitimate on its own terms, as a form of scientific explanation. This does not, however, mean that narratives are not explanatory. Genetic explanations rather form the fault line between the scientific and humanist discourse. What I will further demonstrate in my presentation is that scientific explanations are possible and derive their explanatory power from deeply embedded narrative structures that are part of symbolic thinking.
Join the virtual Zoom event using this meeting link.
For more information about this event, contact Mary Gibaldi (.4).
