Scientific explanations of phenomena

Traditionally, explanation is used to show how it is that a 'finished' body of scientific knowledge can be put to use. But finished sciences are few and far between, and so this limited use is confined to 'static' circumstances. Real 'explanation' also occurs in a dynamic context in which questions are being asked and answers are given as theories in the process of being constructed. This is the area which scientific dogmatism rejects as being 'unscientific'.

The number of rational hypotheses that can explain any given phenomenon is infinite.

"It would be possible to describe everything scientifically, but it would make no sense; it would be without meaning, as if you described a Beethoven symphony as a variation of wave pressure." (Albert Einstein).