Final answer:
An explanation is needed when a phenomenon or event requires understanding, and it should be based on reason and evidence. The most fitting explanation accounts for all available evidence and may require reevaluation in light of new substantiated information. Extraordinary claims necessitate extraordinary evidence to be considered credible.
Step-by-step explanation:
The need for an explanation arises when a phenomenon or event is observed that requires understanding or interpretation. The determination of a suitable explanation involves a rigorous use of reason and evidence. In the pursuit of explaining an event or phenomenon, such as why someone is reading a textbook, different levels of causation may be examined, ranging from the most immediate to long-term societal influences. When considering physical claims, it is expected that positive assertions are backed by substantial evidence. This is especially pertinent when the claims made are extraordinary, requiring a higher threshold of evidence to be deemed credible.
For example, the disappearance of a loaf of pumpkin bread would need a more explanatory hypothesis than simply asserting that a roommate ate it. To address why the bread is missing, the hypothesis must take into account all available evidence, including the presence of crumbs and the demeanor of a pet. Similarly, historians consider both immediate and long-term reasons to explain historical events. If a claim links a natural event with a supernatural cause, credible evidence must support such a claim.
Not all explanations are created equal, and they should be examined in light of their ability to account for the facts without violating reasoning. Moreover, the nature of the explanation can vary from seeking simple answers to desiring comprehensive ones that are grounded in evidence and logical consistency.