more on this theme | more from this thinker
Full Idea
To a significant degree, a mechanistic philosophy of science can be seen as an alternative to an earlier logical empiricist tradition in philosophy of science that gave pride of place to laws of nature.
Gist of Idea
Mechanistic philosophy of science is an alternative to the empiricist law-based tradition
Source
Stuart Glennan (Mechanisms [2008], 'Intro')
Book Ref
'Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Science', ed/tr. Psillos,S/Curd,M [Routledge 2010], p.376
A Reaction
Lovely! Someone who actually spells out what's going on here. Most philosophers are far too coy about explaining what their real game is. Mechanism is fine in chemistry and biology. How about in 'mathematical' physics, or sociology?
Related Idea
Idea 17488 Empiricist theories are sets of laws, which give explanations and reductions [Glennan]
17494 | Since causal events are related by mechanisms, causation can be analysed in that way [Glennan] |
17493 | Modern mechanism need parts with spatial, temporal and function facts, and diagrams [Glennan] |
17487 | Mechanistic philosophy of science is an alternative to the empiricist law-based tradition [Glennan] |
17489 | Mechanisms are either systems of parts or sequences of activities [Glennan] |
17490 | 17th century mechanists explained everything by the kinetic physical fundamentals [Glennan] |
17488 | Empiricist theories are sets of laws, which give explanations and reductions [Glennan] |
17491 | Unlike the lawlike approach, mechanistic explanation can allow for exceptions [Glennan] |