NAUČNO OBJAŠNJENJE, NAUČNI ZAKONI I PROTIVČINJENIČKI KONDICIONALI
SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION, LAWS OF NATURE AND COUNTERFACTUALS

Summary/Abstract: This paper will discuss the theoretical foundations and interconnections of several philosophical concepts which are indispensable for the definition of scientific practice and logic of counterfactuals. Three concepts will be in the focus of the examination: sceintific explanation, laws of nature and couterfactuals. In the exploration of the possibility of their independent foundation we will start with empiricist attempts to define scientific practice in accord with Hume's sceptical view of necessity which we will critically assess. Reached conclusions will point to the existance of unjustified practice to circulary define these basic concepts and to the fact that one philosophical discipline sometimes uncritically adopt the results of the other (we focus on philosophical logic and philosophy of science) which leads to vague definitions. Successful definition of the concepts in question asks for several answers to the questions which will be raised at the end of this paper.

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