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Philosophical and Scientific Perspectives on Downward Causation
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Philosophical and Scientific Perspectives on Downward Causation
Downward Causation, Emergence and Levels
The Irreducibility of Downward Causation
Downward Causation and the Metaphysics and Epistemology of Causation
Downward Causation as Non-Causal
Downward Causation, Mind and Agency
The Science of Downward Causation
The Contributions in This Book
I. Downward Causation and the Metaphysics of Causation
II. Downward Causation and the Sciences
III. Downward Causation, Mind and Agency
References
I Downward Causation and the Metaphysics of Causation
Three Grades of Downward Causation
Introduction
The Context
Kim against Downward Causation
Tropes as Causal Relata
Generic Events as Causal Relata
Possession of a Power vs. Exercise of the Power
Conclusion
Notes
References
Downward Causation
Species of Downward Causation
Downward Causation and Emergence
Laws
Properties
Wholes without Parts
Notes
References
Higher-Level, Downward and Specific Causation
Interventionist Analysis of Causation
Specific Causation
Differences in Specificity Relative to the Level of Properties within a Mechanistic System
Reply to Objections
Conclusion
Notes
References
Powers and Downward Causation
Introduction
Realism about Powers
Kim and Downward Causation
Excluding Powers
How to Respond
Conclusion
References
Emergence and Demergence
Why Emergence?
Weak and Strong Emergence
Emergent Causal Powers
Mere Composition
Nonlinear Composition
New Properties
Causal Composition and Supervenience Failure
Example of Social Phenomena
Advantages of This Account
Causal Closure
Response to Kim
Conclusion
Note
References
Power Mereology: Structural Powers versus Substantial Powers
Powers, and Only Powers
Potentiality and Actuality
Manifesting Powers
Power Mereology
Structural versus Substantial Powers
Downward Emergence
Conclusion
Notes
References
II Downward Causation and the Sciences
The Use of Downward Causation in Condensed Matter Physics
Introduction
Mean Field Theory
The Electron Gas
First Principles Calculations
Density Functional Theory
Exchange, Correlation and the Emergence of Quasiparticles in DFT
Conclusions
Notes
References
Prospects for Strong Emergence in Chemistry
Introduction
Setting up the Question
Chemical Substances
Molecular Structure and Quantum Mechanics
Objections and Replies
Objection 1: The Chemical Bond Is “Just a Model”
Objection 2: Chemistry Doesn’t Study Properties
Objection 3: The Causal Closure of Physics
Notes
References
Causality and Levels of Explanation in Biology
The Context-Relative Dimension of Biological Explanations: From Mechanisms to Levels
The Agency Theory of Causality and the Context Dependence Issue
Mechanisms, Levels and Components
Cancer Research
Conclusions
Notes
References
The Interlacing of Upward and Downward Causation in Complex Living Systems: On Interactions, Self-Organization, Emergence and Wholeness
The Challenge of Biological Complexity: Self-Organization, Emergence of Novelties and the Integration of the Parts into a Whole
The Problem of the Levels and Kinds of Causation in Biological Sciences: Some Remarks
On the Role of Loops of Interactions and Emergent Properties in Biological Systems
How Overall Chromatin Arrangements and Their Modifications Affect Gene Activity and Cell Functioning
New Insights into the Relation between Structure and Function, or How Forms Generate Functionality in Living Systems
From Cells to Molecules: Cells May Change the Structure and Function of DNA
Many Levels of Causation Are Needed for Thinking of Biological Complexity and Functionality
Conclusion
Notes
References
Top-Down Causation in Biology and Neuroscience
Introduction
Mechanisms as Modules in Networks
Negative Feedback Control in Human-Made Machines
Organisms Need Control Mechanisms to Maintain Themselves
Maintaining Constancy of the Internal Environment via Control Mechanisms
Using Oscillations from Negative Feedback to Control Timing of Operations
Using Neurons to Realize Control Hierarchies
Conclusion: Hierarchical Control as Top-Down Causation
Notes
References
Early Complexity in Human Development
The Idea of Early Competence
From the Dissociation of Competence and Performance to the Earliness Argument
Early Skills without Learning?
Early Skills: Starting Point of Development?
Early Cognitive Abilities and Epigenesis
Conclusion
Note
References
Scientific Emergentism and Its Move beyond (Direct) Downward Causation
Compositional Explanation: Some Examples
Some Features of Compositional Explanation and Scientific Composition
Initial Problems: Downward Causation and the Features of S-Emergence
Another Foundational Problem: The Impossibility of Direct Manipulability in Cases of S-Emergence
Scientific Emergentism and Its Non-Causal Downward Relation: Understanding ‘Upward’ Composition alongside ‘Downward’ Machresis
Machresis and Mediated Downward Causation
Conclusion
Notes
References
III Downward Causation, Mind and Agency
The Mental Causation Debate and Qua Problems
The Original Qua Problem
Coarse-Grained versus Fine-Grained Accounts
Property Aspects
Event Aspects
Notes
References
Agent-Causation—Neither Upward Nor Downward
The Possibility of the Total Absence of Causation
The Justification of the Existence of Agent-Causation
Objections
The Nature of Agent-Causation
The Nature of Agents
The Existence of Non-physical Agents
Sophistication in the Wish to Get Rid of Agent-Causation, and a Serious Consideration of Philosophical Plausibility
Levels of Physical Reality
Levels of Physical Reality and Causation
The Work of Causation
The Brain-Agent
Notes
References
The Compatibility of Downward Causation and Emergence
First Steps into the Issue
The Main Aspects of the Issue
Desiderata for Emergence
What Are Levels?
A Case of Emergence?
Realization and Emergence
Conclusions
Notes
References
Three Views on Mental Downward Causation
Anomalous Monism
Ontological Emergentism
The Intentional Causation View
Conclusion
Notes
References
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