Difference between revisions of "Fake explanation"
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[[category:rhetorical deceptions]]A [[fake explanation]] is anything which sounds like an explanation, or is offered as an explanation, but which does not offer any further understanding even if it might be true.{{seedling}} | [[category:rhetorical deceptions]]A [[fake explanation]] is anything which sounds like an explanation, or is offered as an explanation, but which does not offer any further understanding even if it might be true.{{seedling}} | ||
| − | "Because God did it" is one example commonly used in [[religion]]-based arguments. The question-and-answer pair "What makes it go? Energy!", found in an elementary school science textbook, was derided by the late [[Nobel Prize]]-winning physicist [[Richard Feynman]] as being utterly useless as an explanation. | + | Many [[fake explanation]]s are also [[curiosity stopper]]s. |
| − | + | ===Examples=== | |
| − | + | * "Because [[God did it]]" is one example commonly used in [[religion]]-based arguments. | |
| + | * The question-and-answer pair "What makes it go? Energy!", found in an elementary school science textbook, was derided by the late [[Nobel Prize]]-winning physicist [[Richard Feynman]] as being utterly useless as an explanation. | ||
| + | * [[Phlogiston]] was a hypothetical substance contained within certain materials and whose release was believed to explain processes such as combustion and the rusting of metals, which are now understood as [[oxidation]]. {{wpcite|Phlogiston theory}} | ||
| + | * [[Luminiferous aether]] was a hypothetical medium believed to be necessary for the transmission of electromagnetic energy. It was proved nonexistent by the [[|Luminiferous aether}} | ||
| + | * [[Elan vital]] was a hypothetical substance which infused living matter and caused it to move as consciously directed, as well as being necessary for [[evolution]]. {{wpcite|Elan vital}} | ||
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
| − | * [http:// | + | ===Reference=== |
| + | * '''2007-08-20''' [http://lesswrong.com/lw/ip/fake_explanations/ Fake Explanations] by Eliezer Yudkowsky | ||
| + | ===Further Reading=== | ||
| + | * '''2007-08-25''' [http://lesswrong.com/lw/iu/mysterious_answers_to_mysterious_questions/ Mysterious Answers to Mysterious Questions] by Eliezer Yudkowsky | ||