Explaining Explanation

David-Hillel Ruben offers a discussion of some of the main historical attempts to explain the concept of explanation, examining the works of Plato, Aristotle, John Stuart Mill, and Carl Hempel. Building on and developing the insights of these historical figures, he introduces an elaboration and defense of his own solution. In this volume, Ruben relates the concept of explanation to both epistemological and metaphysical issues. Not content to confine the concept to the realm of philosophy of science, he examines it within a far more broadly conceived theory of knowledge. He concludes with his own original and challenging explanation of explanation. Explaining Explanation will be read with interest by students of general philosophy as well as those specializing in the philosophy of science and scholars with a more advanced level of interest.