The first comprehensive exploration of the nature and value of understanding, addressing burgeoning debates in epistemology and philosophy of science.

From antiquity to the end of the twentieth century, philosophical discussions of understanding remained undeveloped, guided by a 'received view' that takes unde

Understanding and Explanation clarifies the "explanation versus understanding" debate that has become central to the philosophy of the social sciences.

Alan Millar examines our understanding of why people think and act as they do. His key theme is that normative considerations form an indispensable part of the

In 'Explanation and Understanding' von Wright argues that human action cannot be explained causally by scientific or 'natural' laws, but must be understood 'int