Mechanisms in Science
Method or Metaphysics?

Questions central tenets of the current philosophical consensus about mechanisms and develops the novel alternative of Methodological Mechanism.

Stavros Ioannidis (Author), Stathis Psillos (Author)

9781316519905, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 23 June 2022

250 pages
23.5 x 15.7 x 2.2 cm, 0.564 kg

'Ioannidis and Psillos provide comprehensive arguments for taking a deflationary or metaphysically neutral approach to understanding mechanism, especially in biology … Highly recommended.' J. A. Hewlett, Choice

In recent years what has come to be called the 'New Mechanism' has emerged as a framework for thinking about the philosophical assumptions underlying many areas of science, especially in sciences such as biology, neuroscience, and psychology. This book offers a fresh look at the role of mechanisms, by situating novel analyses of central philosophical issues related to mechanisms within a rich historical perspective of the concept of mechanism as well as detailed case studies of biological mechanisms (such as apoptosis). It develops a new position, Methodological Mechanism, according to which mechanisms are to be viewed as causal pathways that are theoretically described and are underpinned by networks of difference-making relations. In contrast to metaphysically inflated accounts, this study characterises mechanism as a concept-in-use in science that is deflationary and metaphysically neutral, but still methodologically useful and central to scientific practice.

Introduction
Part I. Ideas of Mechanism: 1. Mechanisms, Then and Now
2: Extending Mechanism Beyond the two 'Most Catholic Principles of Bodies
Part II. Causation and Mechanism: 3. Mechanisms in Scientific Practice: the Case of Apoptosis
4. Mechanisms as Causal Pathways
5: Mechanisms, Causation and Laws
6: Against Activities
7: Whither Counterfactuals?
Part III. Beyond New Mechanism: 8. Constitution vs Causation
9. Multilevel Mechanistic Explanation
10: Methodological Mechanism.

Subject Areas: Philosophy of science [PDA], Philosophy: metaphysics & ontology [HPJ], Philosophy [HP]