Overview
- Supports the theory of causal Bayes nets by an inference to the best explanation
- Offers a novel discussion of the relationship between Woodward’s interventionist theory of causation and the theory of causal Bayes nets
- Presents a new formal approach to mechanisms
- Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras
Part of the book series: Synthese Library (SYLI, volume 381)
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Table of contents (6 chapters)
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About this book
This monograph looks at causal nets from a philosophical point of view. The author shows that one can build a general philosophical theory of causation on the basis of the causal nets framework that can be fruitfully used to shed new light on philosophical issues. Coverage includes both a theoretical as well as application-oriented approach to the subject.
The author first counters David Hume’s challenge about whether causation is something ontologically real. The idea behind this is that good metaphysical concepts should behave analogously to good theoretical concepts in scientific theories. In the process, the author offers support for the theory of causal nets as indeed being a correct theory of causation.
Next, the book offers an application-oriented approach to the subject. The author shows that causal nets can investigate philosophical issues related to causation. He does this by means of two exemplary applications. The first consists of an evaluation of Jim Woodward’s interventionist theory of causation. The second offers a contribution to the new mechanist debate.
Introductory chapters outline all the formal basics required. This helps make the book useful for those who are not familiar with causal nets, but interested in causation or in tools for the investigation of philosophical issues related to causation.
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Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Causal Nets, Interventionism, and Mechanisms
Book Subtitle: Philosophical Foundations and Applications
Authors: Alexander Gebharter
Series Title: Synthese Library
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49908-6
Publisher: Springer Cham
eBook Packages: Religion and Philosophy, Philosophy and Religion (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer International Publishing AG 2017
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-319-49907-9Published: 18 January 2017
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-319-84270-7Published: 30 April 2018
eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-49908-6Published: 11 January 2017
Series ISSN: 0166-6991
Series E-ISSN: 2542-8292
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: VII, 184
Number of Illustrations: 55 b/w illustrations
Topics: Philosophy of Science, Statistical Theory and Methods, Mathematical Logic and Foundations