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Efficient causality in Boring's work and thought: A case of one‐sided determinism
Author(s) -
GrubaMcCallister Frank P.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
journal of the history of the behavioral sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.216
H-Index - 26
eISSN - 1520-6696
pISSN - 0022-5061
DOI - 10.1002/1520-6696(197807)14:3<207::aid-jhbs2300140303>3.0.co;2-q
Subject(s) - determinism , theme (computing) , causality (physics) , zeitgeist , consciousness , epistemology , work (physics) , common cause and special cause , psychology , sociology , aesthetics , philosophy , computer science , engineering , operations management , operating system , mechanical engineering , physics , quantum mechanics
Efficient‐cause determinism is identified as a dominant theme in the work of Edwin G. Boring. An efficient cause is defined as one which is temporally prior to its effect and which impels or pushes this effect. This theme is located in Boring's discussions of freedom, the nature of science, the role of the Zeitgeist in the history of science, and the definition of consciousness. The limitations imposed on our understanding of psychology by this emphasis on efficient causality are discussed as well as ways of removing these restrictions.