Causation, Exclusion, and the Special Sciences

Raatikainen, Panu (2009) Causation, Exclusion, and the Special Sciences. In [2008] Reduction and the Special Sciences (Tilburg, April 10-12, 2008).

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Abstract

The issue of downward causation (and mental causation in particular), and the exclusion problem is discussed by taking into account some recent advances in the philosophy of science. The problem is viewed from the perspective of the new interventionist theory of causation developed by Woodward. It is argued that from this viewpoint, a higher-level (e.g., mental) state can sometimes truly be causally relevant, and moreover, that the underlying physical state which realizes it may fail to be such.

Keywords:downward causation, causal exclusion, mental causation, interventionist theory of causation
Subjects:General Issues: Reductionism/Holism
Conferences and Volumes:[2008] Reduction and the Special Sciences (Tilburg, April 10-12, 2008)
ID Code:4521
Deposited By:Raatikainen, Panu
Deposited On:15 March 2009

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