Explanation and integration in mind and brain science

While it has long been a topic of discussion among philosophers and scientists alike, there is growing appreciation that understanding the complex relationship between neuroscience and psychological science is of fundamental importance to achieving progress across these scientific domains. Is the relationship between them one of complete independence or autonomy-like two great ships passing in the night? Or is the relationship one of total dependence-where one is entirely subordinate to the other? Or perhaps the correct picture is one of mutually beneficial interaction and integration-lying somewhere in the middle of these two extremes? We argue that one primary strategy for addressing this issue centers around understanding the nature of explanation in these different domains. By deepening our understanding of the similarities and differences between the explanatory patterns employed across these scientific domains, the contributed chapters in this volume shed valuable light on the relationship between neuroscience and psychology.