Kaiser, Marie I. (2014) On the Limits of Causal Modeling: Spatially-Structurally Complex Phenomena. In: UNSPECIFIED.

Preview

PDF Limits_Causal_Modeling_-_Marie_I._Kaiser.pdf - Draft Version Download (322kB)

Abstract

This paper examines the adequacy of causal graph theory as a tool for modeling biological phenomena and formalizing biological explanations. I point out that the causal graph approach reaches it limits when it comes to modeling biological phenomena that involve complex spatial and structural relations. Using a case study from molecular biology, DNA-binding and -recognition of proteins, I argue that causal graph models fail to adequately represent and explain causal phenomena in this field. The inadequacy of these models is due to their failure to include relevant spatial and structural information in a way that does not render the model non-explanatory, unmanageable, or inconsistent with basic assumptions of causal graph theory.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (UNSPECIFIED)
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Kaiser, Marie I. kaiser.m@uni-koeln.de
Keywords:	causal model, causal graph, spatial relations, chemical structure, complexity, causal explanation
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology General Issues > Causation General Issues > Explanation General Issues > Models and Idealization
Depositing User:	Dr. Marie I. Kaiser
Date Deposited:	28 Oct 2014 17:34
Last Modified:	28 Oct 2014 17:34
Item ID:	11095
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology General Issues > Causation General Issues > Explanation General Issues > Models and Idealization
Date:	2014
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/11095

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item