Mathematical Explanation and Grounding Explanation: Against Divergence Thesis

Μohammad Maarefi

 University School for Advanced Studies Pavia (IUSS)

Abstract:

Mark Lange has defended the view that mathematical explanation and grounding explanation diverge. In this paper, I’ll show that there is a variety of grounding explanation that is immune to his criticisms. To do so, after fixing a minimal separatist theory of ground, I’ll argue that his arguments are mostly relying on another thesis about grounding (I’ll call it atomic grounding thesis) which is not supported. Furthermore, the second attempt from “purity” does not seem to be fully satisfactory. Finally, I briefly criticize his view about mathematical explanation, and I’ll argue that “salience” is a wrong call for the purposes of mathematical explanation.