Intrinsic vs Post-Hoc — Two Paths to an Explainable Model
There are exactly two ways to get an explainable model: build one that's transparent from the start, or build a black box and explain it afterward. These two paths — intrinsic interpretability and post-hoc explanation — define the entire field, and choosing between them is the first real decision in any project where understanding matters. This post lays out both, their trade-offs, and why the choice is less obvious than "just use the accurate model and explain it later."
Two paths to an explainable model: build one transparent by design (intrinsic — faithful, free explanations) or explain a black box afterward (post-hoc — keeps accuracy but explanations can be unfaithful). The real debate: for high-stakes problems where an interpretable model is competitive, prefer intrinsic over explaining a black box.