What Is a Mechanism? A Counterfactual Account-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

What Is a Mechanism? A Counterfactual Account

Published:2002-09 Issue:S3 Volume:69 Page:S366-S377
ISSN:0031-8248
Container-title:Philosophy of Science
language:en
Short-container-title:Philos. of Sci.

Author:

Woodward Jim

Abstract

This paper presents a counterfactual account of what a mechanism is. Mechanisms consist of parts, the behavior of which conforms to generalizations that are invariant under interventions, and which are modular in the sense that it is possible in principle to change the behavior of one part independently of the others. Each of these features can be captured by the truth of certain counterfactuals.

Publisher

Cambridge University Press (CUP)

Subject

History and Philosophy of Science,Philosophy,History

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