Functional Stability and Systems Level Causation
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 10706011 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Anders Strand (0000-0002-4055-4089), Gry Oftedal (0000-0002-5578-1196) |
| Year | 2009 |
| Volume | 76 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Pages | 809-820 |
| Publication date | 2009-12-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Philosophy of Science (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0031-8248 • E-ISSN: 1539-767X |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1086/605811 |
| OpenAlex | W2172699489 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 4 |
| References cited | 8 |
A wide range of gene knockout experiments shows that functional stability is an important feature of biological systems. On this backdrop, we present an argument for higher-level causation based on counterfactual dependence. Furthermore, we sketch a metaphysical picture providing resources to explain the metaphysical nature of functional stability, higher-level causation, and the relevant notion of levels. Our account aims to clarify the role empirical results and philosophical assumptions should play in debates about reductionism and higher-level causation. It thereby contributes to the development of a philosophical foundation for systems biology
Argument (complex analysis) · Biology · Causation · Counterfactual conditional · Counterfactual thinking · Epistemology · Metaphysics · Reductionism · Sketch · Stability (learning theory) · Supervenience · Bioinformatics and Genomic Networks · Computer Science · Gene Regulatory Network Analysis · Philosophy · Philosophy and History of Science
| Citations per year | 0.31 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2013 - 2022 (10) |
| Highly cited | No |