Thinking about mechanisms

Authors
Machamer, P Darden, L Craver, CF
Citation
P. Machamer et al., Thinking about mechanisms, PHILOS SCI, 67(1), 2000, pp. 1-25
Citations number
42
Categorie Soggetti
Philosiphy
Journal title
PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
ISSN journal
00318248 → ACNP
Volume
67
Issue
1
Year of publication
2000
Pages
1 - 25
Database
ISI
SICI code
0031-8248(200003)67:1<1:TAM>2.0.ZU;2-Q
Abstract
The concept of mechanism is analyzed in terms of entities and activities, o rganized such that they are productive of regular changes. Examples show ho w mechanisms work in neurobiology and molecular biology. Thinking in terms of mechanisms provides a new framework for addressing many traditional phil osophical issues: causality, laws, explanation, reduction, and scientific c hange.