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Single Idea 16564

[from 'Thinking About Mechanisms' by Machamer,P/Darden,L/Craver,C, in 14. Science / D. Explanation / 3. Best Explanation / b. Ultimate explanation ]

Full Idea

There are four bottom-out kinds of activities: geometrico-mechanical, electro-chemical, electro-magnetic and energetic. These are abstract means of production that can be fruitfully applied in particular cases to explain phenomena.

Gist of Idea

There are four types of bottom-level activities which will explain phenomena

Source

Machamer,P/Darden,L/Craver,C (Thinking About Mechanisms [2000], 7)

Book Reference

-: 'Philosophy of Science' [-], p.22


A Reaction

I like that. It gives a nice core for a metaphysics for physicalists. I suspect that 'mechanical' can be reduced to something else, and that 'energetic' will disappear in the final story.