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Toward Mechanism 2.1: A Dynamic Causal Approach

Fang, Wei (2021) Toward Mechanism 2.1: A Dynamic Causal Approach. Philosophy of Science, 88 (5). pp. 796-809. ISSN 1539-767X

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Abstract

I propose a dynamic causal approach to characterizing the notion of a mechanism. Levy and Bechtel, among others, have pointed out several critical limitations of the new mechanical philosophy, and pointed in a new direction to extend this philosophy. Nevertheless, they have not fully fleshed out what that extended philosophy would look like. Based on a closer look at neuroscientific practice, I propose that a mechanism is a dynamic causal system that involves various components interacting, typically nonlinearly, with one another to produce a phenomenon of interest.

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Item Type: Published Article or Volume
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Fang, Weiwesleyfang@outlook.com0000000198560599
Keywords: mechanism; dynamic; causal; models and modeling; neuroscience
Subjects: General Issues > Causation
General Issues > Explanation
Specific Sciences > Neuroscience
Depositing User: Dr. Wei Fang
Date Deposited: 08 May 2024 18:45
Last Modified: 08 May 2024 18:45
Item ID: 23384
Journal or Publication Title: Philosophy of Science
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
DOI or Unique Handle: https://doi.org/10.1086/715081
Subjects: General Issues > Causation
General Issues > Explanation
Specific Sciences > Neuroscience
Date: December 2021
Page Range: pp. 796-809
Volume: 88
Number: 5
ISSN: 1539-767X
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/23384

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