PhilSci Archive

A Causal-Role Account of Ecological Role Functions

Morrow, Katie H. (2022) A Causal-Role Account of Ecological Role Functions. [Preprint]

[img]
Preview
Text
Morrow_Ecological Role Functions_preprint.pdf

Download (387kB) | Preview

Abstract

I develop an account of ecological role functions—the functions of species within ecosystems—which is informed by alternative regime phenomena in ecology. My account is a causal-role theory which includes a counterfactual sensitivity condition. The account tracks and explains a distinction ecologists make between functions and various activities which are not functions. My counterfactual sensitivity condition resolves the liberality problem often attributed to causal-role theories of function, while also illuminating the explanatory centrality of role functions within ecology.


Export/Citation: EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL
Social Networking:
Share |

Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Morrow, Katie H.katherine.morrow@uni-bielefeld.de0000-0002-4126-8121
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Biology > Ecology/Conservation
Specific Sciences > Biology > Function/Teleology
Depositing User: Dr. Katie H. Morrow
Date Deposited: 12 Nov 2022 13:51
Last Modified: 12 Nov 2022 13:51
Item ID: 21398
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Biology > Ecology/Conservation
Specific Sciences > Biology > Function/Teleology
Date: 2022
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/21398

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item