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