EXPLANATORY POWER Meaning and
Definition
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Explanatory power refers to the ability of a theory, concept, or model to provide clear, logical, and comprehensive explanations for a wide range of phenomena or observations. It is a measure of how effectively a theory can account for and make sense of various aspects of a given subject or field of study.
The term "explanatory" in explanatory power highlights the ability of a theory to clarify the underlying causes, mechanisms, or principles behind observed phenomena. The more comprehensively and convincingly a theory can account for these phenomena, the greater its explanatory power.
A theory with high explanatory power should be capable of clarifying and predicting a wide array of empirical data or observations. It should be able to connect seemingly unrelated events or facts, providing a coherent framework to explain the patterns, relationships, or discrepancies observed.
The concept of explanatory power is often considered a key criterion for evaluating the scientific merit of theories or hypotheses. It is closely related to concepts such as predictive power, consistency, and empirical support. The more a theory aligns with empirical evidence and demonstrates its ability to explain a broad range of phenomena, the higher its explanatory power is considered to be.
Overall, explanatory power is a fundamental aspect of scientific inquiry, as it helps researchers to develop theories that can provide comprehensive and logical explanations for the complexities of the natural world.
Etymology of EXPLANATORY POWER
The etymology of the word "explanatory power" can be traced back to its constituent parts: "explanatory" and "power".
1. Explanatory: It comes from the word "explain", which originated in the early 15th century, derived from the Latin word "explanare", meaning "to make clear, level, or smooth". This Latin term is composed of "ex-" (out) and "planus" (flat).
2. Power: It originates from the Old French word "povoir", which eventually evolved into the Middle English "pouer" in the 14th century. Both the Old French and Middle English terms were derived from the Latin "potere", meaning "to be able" or "to have power". This Latin term is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "poti-", which means "powerful".
