Mechanisms in Science: Method or Metaphysics?

The New Mechanism provides a framework for understanding the philosophical assumptions of science, particularly in biology, neuroscience, and psychology. It offers a fresh perspective on the role of mechanisms, characterizes them as causal pathways, and develops a Methodological Mechanism that is useful and central to scientific practice.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 289 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The New Mechanism, a term coined in recent years, has emerged as a framework for delving into the philosophical underpinnings of various scientific disciplines, particularly in fields like biology, neuroscience, and psychology. This comprehensive book provides a fresh perspective on the role of mechanisms by contextualizing novel analyses of central philosophical issues related to mechanisms within a comprehensive historical backdrop of the concept of mechanism. Additionally, it offers detailed case studies of biological mechanisms, such as apoptosis, to further illustrate its implications. Through this exploration, the book develops a novel position, Methodological Mechanism, which posits that mechanisms can be understood as causal pathways that are theoretically described and supported by networks of difference-making relations.

In contrast to metaphysically inflated accounts, this study characterizes mechanism as a concept-in-use in science that is deflationary and metaphysically neutral. However, it remains methodologically valuable and central to scientific practice.

The New Mechanism has profound implications for our understanding of the nature of science and the role of mechanisms in explaining the complex processes of the natural world. By providing a nuanced and empirically grounded perspective on the concept of mechanism, this book offers valuable insights for researchers, scholars, and practitioners across a wide range of disciplines.

Weight: 428g
Dimension: 150 x 228 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009011495