Model-Based Scientific Explanation

This paper argues for the claim that scientific explanation is model-based reasoning, and makes an attempt to provide a cognitive account for model-based explanation in the framework of mental modeling (Nersessian, 2002). Explanation is one of the most typical and important functions of scientific theories, and the D-N model of scientific explanation is one of the most valuable historical legacies of logical positivist philosophy of science. From the recent literature, a novel idea emerges: many forms of mental representations can be used to produce explanations and thus to lead to the feelings of understanding (see Brewer 1999 for a short review; and Brewer, Chinn, & Samarapungavan 1998 for a psychological explanation of explanation). Accordingly, it is possible to develop a psychological account that expounds the cognitive basis o