Question

For each of the following, identify the explanandum (the statement to be explained) and the hypothesis (the statement doing the explaining), then explain what is inadequate about this possible explanation.

1. My research paper was late because I had a doctor’s appointment the day before it was due.

2. Bill has the feeling that something is off about his family. He figures what probably happened is that each of his family members was abducted by aliens and replaced by imposters who look and act exactly the same as them.

4. Walking at night, Jaime hears some rustling in the bushes. She decides it can’t be the wind, since she hears sticks cracking on the ground, so it’s probably an animal escaped from the zoo.

5. Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other

Answer 1

Explanandum: Why the research paper was late.
Hypothesis: Because the speaker had a doctor's appointment the day before it was due.
Inadequacy: This explanation may be true, but it doesn't explain why the speaker didn't complete the research paper before the due date, or why they didn't make arrangements with their professor in advance.
Explanandum: Why Bill feels that something is off about his family.
Hypothesis: Each of his family members was abducted by aliens and replaced by imposters.
Inadequacy: This explanation is not based on any evidence or logical reasoning, and is therefore highly unlikely to be true. It also doesn't explain any other possible reasons why Bill might be feeling this way.
Explanandum: What is causing the rustling sound in the bushes.
Hypothesis: An animal has escaped from the zoo.
Inadequacy: This explanation may be true, but it doesn't account for other possible causes of the rustling sound, such as the wind or a person walking nearby. It also doesn't provide any evidence to support the hypothesis.
Explanandum: Why the chicken crossed the road.
Hypothesis: To get to the other side.
Inadequacy: This explanation is a humorous answer to a joke and is not intended to provide a serious explanation for why the chicken crossed the road.