Why there isn't inter-level causation in mechanisms
pp. 3731-3755
Résumé
The experimental interventions that provide evidence of causal relations are notably similar to those that provide evidence of constitutive relevance relations. In the first two sections, I show that this similarity creates a tension: there is an inconsistent triad between (1) Woodward’s popular interventionist theory of causation, (2) Craver’s mutual manipulability account of constitutive relevance in mechanisms, and a variety of arguments for (3) the incoherence of inter-level causation. I argue for an interpretation of the views in which the tension is merely apparent. I propose to explain inter-level relations without inter-level causation by appealing to the notion of fat-handed interventions, and an argument against inter-level causation which dissolves the problem.
Détails de la publication
Publié dans:
Jantzen Benjamin C., Mayo Deborah G., Patton Lydia (2015) Ontology & methodology. Synthese 192 (11).
Pages: 3731-3755
DOI: 10.1007/s11229-015-0718-0
Citation complète:
Romero Felipe, 2015, Why there isn't inter-level causation in mechanisms. Synthese 192 (11), Ontology & methodology, 3731-3755. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-015-0718-0.