Single Idea 16528

[catalogued under 14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / i. Explanations by mechanism]

Full Idea

One should not think of mechanisms as exclusively mechanical (push-pull) systems.

Gist of Idea

Mechanisms are not just push-pull systems

Source

Machamer,P/Darden,L/Craver,C (Thinking About Mechanisms [2000], 1)

Book Reference

-: 'Philosophy of Science' [-], p.2


A Reaction

The difficulty seems to be that you could broaden the concept of 'mechanism' indefinitely, so that it covered history, mathematics, populations, cultural change, and even mathematics. Where to stop?