What is a Mechanism? : Thinking about mechanisms across the sciences
Author
Illari, Phyllis McKay
Williamson, Jon
Attention
2299/8477
Abstract
After a decade of intense debate about mechanisms, there is still no consensus characterization. In this paper we argue for a characterization that applies widely to mechanisms across the sciences. We examine and defend our disagreements with the major current contenders for characterizations of mechanisms. Ultimately, we indicate that the major contenders can all sign up to our characterization.