Causes, Explanations, and Mechanisms

This book provides a philosophical analysis of the link between the concept of causation, explanation and mechanisms. It addresses the rapidly expanding field of the new mechanical philosophy from a historical and theoretical point of view, and presents the philosophical ideas that have impacted the mechanistic project and the limits of this project as seen from various explanatory contexts. Furthermore, the book focuses in a succinct manner on the metaphysical and methodological aspects of the new mechanical philosophy and proposes suggestions for future work on the issue of causes and mechanisms. The chapters, accessible to both philosophers and scientists, serve as a helpful tool to the current debate surrounding mechanism, explanation and causation. The variety and range of coverage in this book makes it a perfect choice for students of history and philosophy of science, students of the sciences, and scholars interested in the philosophy of science.