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Mechanistic Theories of Causality Part II
Author(s) -
Williamson Jon
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
philosophy compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.973
H-Index - 25
ISSN - 1747-9991
DOI - 10.1111/j.1747-9991.2011.00401.x
Subject(s) - causality (physics) , process (computing) , range (aeronautics) , computer science , epistemology , face (sociological concept) , sociology , philosophy , physics , engineering , social science , quantum mechanics , aerospace engineering , operating system
Part I of this paper introduced a range of mechanistic theories of causality, including process theories and the complex‐systems theories, and some of the problems they face. Part II argues that while there is a decisive case against a purely mechanistic analysis, a viable theory of causality must incorporate mechanisms as an ingredient, and describes one way of providing an analysis of causality which reaps the rewards of the mechanistic approach without succumbing to its pitfalls.