Do Good Explanations Always Need to Be True?
The question of whether a good explanation must always be true is multifaceted and depends heavily on the intended audience and context of the explanation. Let's delve into the nuances of this concept.
What Constitutes a “Good” Explanation?
First and foremost, it's important to understand what you mean by a “good” explanation. A good explanation typically aims to communicate the core concept clearly, address the audience's level of understanding, and provide a framework for comprehension. However, the truth of the explanation forms the bedrock upon which all good explanations are built.
Operational vs. Conceptual Explanations
Many explanations in the realm of physics are both easy to understand and yield the right answers to the problems they address, despite being fundamentally incorrect. Such explanations are often given partial credit on exams. For instance, a student might use a simplified model to solve a problem, which aligns with the expected solution, but the underlying theory may be flawed. This approach can be effective in practical scenarios where the precise underlying physics is less important than obtaining a correct result.
Understanding vs. Explanation
Your ability to explain a concept to someone else is deeply tied to your own understanding of it. This principle holds true whether you're explaining simple physics to a layperson or complex string theory to a fellow expert. An expert in string theory might need to use simplified explanations when teaching beginners, but these explanations must still be fundamentally accurate.
The Role of Narrative Logic
In Terry Pratchett's realm of narrative logic, good explanations often follow a predictable pattern designed to engage and satisfy the audience. This narrative logic is not necessarily about truth but about the story that needs to be told. It's about following a template that the audience is accustomed to, such as a quest narrative where the youngest and least likely hero succeeds.
Such explanations can be highly effective in speculative fiction or storytelling but may not always hold up in more precise, factual contexts. For example, the narrative of a boy fulfilling the prophecy to save the kingdom, as mentioned by Mestre Gabriel, follows a familiar and engaging pattern. However, the underlying character arcs (stupid first brother, frail second brother, worthy youngest brother) are essentially constraints of the narrative framework rather than an accurate depiction of history or reality.
The Importance of Truth
Truth is not a mere afterthought but an indispensable quality in any explanation. While it's true that we often believe in fallacies and narratives, a good explanation that is not true is essentially a fallacy. The philosopher Mestre Gabriel's point underscores the importance of logical consistency, even if it's within a fantastical or fictional context.
The Dichotomy of Explanation and Truth
A great explanation can be fallacious in the sense that it may be persuasive and follow a compelling narrative but still not reflect the truth. However, it is not a good explanation if it is fundamentally false. A truly good explanation must align with established facts and principles, even if it uses narrative techniques to make the explanation more engaging.
In conclusion, while a good explanation doesn't necessarily have to be true, it must at the very least be aligned with the truth. An explanation that strays too far from accuracy risks undermining the very purpose of explaining something clearly and effectively.