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Are causal analysis and system analysis compatible approaches?

Russo, Federica (2009) Are causal analysis and system analysis compatible approaches? [Preprint]

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Abstract

In social science, one objection to causal analysis is that the assumption of the closure of the system makes it too narrow in scope, that is it only considers ‘closed’ and ‘hermetic’ systems thus neglecting many other external influences. On the contrary, system analysis deals with complex structures where every element is interrelated with everything else in the system. The question arises as to whether the two approaches can be compatible and whether causal analysis can be integrated into the broader framework of system analysis. This paper attempts a negative answer on the grounds of fundamental differences in their assumptions and suggests using system analysis as a post hoc comparative tool.


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Item Type: Preprint
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Russo, Federica
Keywords: Causal analysis, system analysis, causation, causal modelling
Subjects: General Issues > Causation
Depositing User: Dr Federica Russo
Date Deposited: 05 Aug 2009
Last Modified: 07 Oct 2010 15:18
Item ID: 4823
Subjects: General Issues > Causation
Date: July 2009
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/4823

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