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How metaphysical commitments shape the study of psychological mechanisms

Hochstein, Eric (2019) How metaphysical commitments shape the study of psychological mechanisms. Theory & Psychology. pp. 1-22.

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Abstract

The study of psychological mechanisms is an interdisciplinary endeavour, requiring insights from many different domains (from electrophysiology, to psychology, to theoretical neuroscience, to computer science). In this article, I argue that philosophy plays an essential role in this interdisciplinary project, and that effective scientific study of psychological mechanisms requires that working scientists be responsible metaphysicians. This means adopting deliberate metaphysical positions when studying mechanisms that go beyond what is empirically justified regarding the nature of the phenomenon being studied, the conditions of its occurrence, and its boundaries. Such metaphysical commitments are necessary in order to set up experimental protocols, determine which variables to manipulate under experimental conditions, and which conclusions to draw from different scientific models and theories. It is important for scientists to be aware of the metaphysical commitments they adopt, since they can easily be led astray if invoked carelessly.


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Item Type: Published Article or Volume
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Hochstein, Ericehochstein@uvic.ca
Keywords: double dissociations, integration, mechanisms, metaphysics, subtractive neuroimaging studies
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science
General Issues > Experimentation
Specific Sciences > Neuroscience
General Issues > Philosophers of Science
Specific Sciences > Psychology
Depositing User: Dr. Eric Hochstein
Date Deposited: 11 Jul 2019 04:37
Last Modified: 11 Jul 2019 04:37
Item ID: 16206
Journal or Publication Title: Theory & Psychology
Publisher: SAGE Journals
Official URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/09593...
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1177/0959354319860591
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science
General Issues > Experimentation
Specific Sciences > Neuroscience
General Issues > Philosophers of Science
Specific Sciences > Psychology
Date: 9 July 2019
Page Range: pp. 1-22
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/16206

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