Browsing Research publications by Author "Illari, Phyllis McKay"

Now showing items 1-5 of 5

    • Function and Organization : Comparing the mechanisms of protein synthesis and natural selection 

      Illari, Phyllis McKay; Williamson, Jon (2010-09)
      In this paper, we compare the mechanisms of protein synthesis and natural selection. We identify three core elements of mechanistic explanation: functional individuation, hierarchical nestedness or decomposition, and ...

    • Mechanisms are Real and Local 

      Illari, Phyllis McKay; Williamson, Jon (Oxford University Press (OUP), 2011)
      Mechanisms have become much-discussed, yet there is still no consensus on how to characterise them. In this paper, we start with something everyone is agreed on – that mechanisms explain – and investigate what constraints ...

    • Mechanistic evidence : Disambiguating the Russo-Williamson Thesis 

      Illari, Phyllis McKay (2011)
      Russo and Williamson claim that establishing causal claims requires mechanistic and difference-making evidence. In this paper, I will argue that Russo and Williamson’s formulation of their thesis is multiply ambiguous. I ...

    • What is a Mechanism? : Thinking about mechanisms across the sciences 

      Illari, Phyllis McKay; Williamson, Jon (2012)
      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 ...

    • Why theories of causality need production : an information-transmission account 

      Illari, Phyllis McKay (2011)
      In this paper, I examine the comparatively neglected intuition of production regarding causality. I begin by examining the weaknesses of current production accounts of causality. I then distinguish between giving a good ...