What is a Mechanism? Thinking about mechanisms across the sciences

Phyllis McKay Illari, Jon Williamson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

214 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

After a decade of intense debate about mechanisms, there is still no consensus characterization. In this paper we argue for a characterization that applies widely to mechanisms across the sciences. We examine and defend our disagreements with the major current contenders for characterizations of mechanisms. Ultimately, we indicate that the major contenders can all sign up to our characterization.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)119-135
Number of pages17
JournalEuropean Journal for Philosophy of Science
Volume2
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012

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