Realism and AIM (Action, Intervention, Manipulation) Theories of Causality
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Donald Gillies
Abstract
One important group of theories in the philosophy of causality could be called: ‘AIM Theories’, where AIM stands for Action, Intervention, Manipulation. These theories vary among themselves, but they have in common the idea that there is a crucial link between causal laws and actions, interventions or manipulations based on these laws. The question I want to raise in this paper is whether this approach to causality is compatible with giving an objective realist interpretation to causes in the natural sciences and medicine. There is a problem here, for, if causes are strongly linked to human actions, it is difficult to see how they could have an objective, human-independent existence. I call this the problem of realism for AIM theories of causality. In section 2 of the paper, I give a survey of the principal AIM theories of causality, and try to give an idea of the main features of this approach. Then in section 3 I focus on Woodward’s AIM theory of causality. I show that this differs in one crucial respect from other versions of the AIM approach, and that, because of this difference, Woodward is able to give a solution to the problem of realism. This hinges on Woodward’s definition of intervention, but in section 4 I argue that the definition has many problems and cannot be regarded as satisfactory. Finally in section 5 I give another solution to the problem of realism, which is compatible with the other AIM theories of causality.
Abstract
One important group of theories in the philosophy of causality could be called: ‘AIM Theories’, where AIM stands for Action, Intervention, Manipulation. These theories vary among themselves, but they have in common the idea that there is a crucial link between causal laws and actions, interventions or manipulations based on these laws. The question I want to raise in this paper is whether this approach to causality is compatible with giving an objective realist interpretation to causes in the natural sciences and medicine. There is a problem here, for, if causes are strongly linked to human actions, it is difficult to see how they could have an objective, human-independent existence. I call this the problem of realism for AIM theories of causality. In section 2 of the paper, I give a survey of the principal AIM theories of causality, and try to give an idea of the main features of this approach. Then in section 3 I focus on Woodward’s AIM theory of causality. I show that this differs in one crucial respect from other versions of the AIM approach, and that, because of this difference, Woodward is able to give a solution to the problem of realism. This hinges on Woodward’s definition of intervention, but in section 4 I argue that the definition has many problems and cannot be regarded as satisfactory. Finally in section 5 I give another solution to the problem of realism, which is compatible with the other AIM theories of causality.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Novelty in Scientific Realism: New Approaches to an Ongoing Debate 1
-
I New Framework for the Realism and Anti-realism Debate
- Scientific Realism: What’s All the Fuss? 27
- Scientific Realism and Three Problems for Inference to the Best Explanation 48
- Scientific Realism and the Conflict with Common Sense 68
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II Approaches based on History and Scientific Realism
- Evolving Realities: Scientific Prediction and Objectivity from the Perspective of Historical Epistemology 87
- Do Cognitive Illusions Make Scientific Realism Deceptively Attractive? 104
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III Logical Approaches in Realist Terms
- Against Paraconsistentism 133
- Stratified Nomic Realism 145
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IV Logico-Epistemological Structural Realism and Instrumental Realism
- Structural Realism: The Only Defensible Realist Game in Town? 169
- Mathematical Language and the Changing Concept of Physical Reality 206
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V New Developments on Critical Scientific Realism and Pragmatic Realism
- Interdisciplinarity from the Perspective of Critical Scientific Realism 231
- Pragmatic Realism and Scientific Prediction: The Role of Complexity 251
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VI Realism on Causality and Representation
- Realism and AIM (Action, Intervention, Manipulation) Theories of Causality 291
- Is Physics Biased Against Alternative Possibilities? 305
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VII Realist Accounts on Objectivity and Facts
- Realistic Components in the Conception of Pragmatic Idealism: The Role of Objectivity and the Notion of “Fact” 331
- “Heard Enough from the Experts”? A Popperian Enquiry 348
- Realism in Archaeology – A Philosophical Perspective 365
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VIII Realism and the Social World: From Social Sciences to the Sciences of the Artificial
- A Structural Realist Approach to International Relations Theory 391
- Objectivity and Truth in Sciences of Communication and the Case of the Internet 415
- Index of Names 437
- Subject Index 447
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Novelty in Scientific Realism: New Approaches to an Ongoing Debate 1
-
I New Framework for the Realism and Anti-realism Debate
- Scientific Realism: What’s All the Fuss? 27
- Scientific Realism and Three Problems for Inference to the Best Explanation 48
- Scientific Realism and the Conflict with Common Sense 68
-
II Approaches based on History and Scientific Realism
- Evolving Realities: Scientific Prediction and Objectivity from the Perspective of Historical Epistemology 87
- Do Cognitive Illusions Make Scientific Realism Deceptively Attractive? 104
-
III Logical Approaches in Realist Terms
- Against Paraconsistentism 133
- Stratified Nomic Realism 145
-
IV Logico-Epistemological Structural Realism and Instrumental Realism
- Structural Realism: The Only Defensible Realist Game in Town? 169
- Mathematical Language and the Changing Concept of Physical Reality 206
-
V New Developments on Critical Scientific Realism and Pragmatic Realism
- Interdisciplinarity from the Perspective of Critical Scientific Realism 231
- Pragmatic Realism and Scientific Prediction: The Role of Complexity 251
-
VI Realism on Causality and Representation
- Realism and AIM (Action, Intervention, Manipulation) Theories of Causality 291
- Is Physics Biased Against Alternative Possibilities? 305
-
VII Realist Accounts on Objectivity and Facts
- Realistic Components in the Conception of Pragmatic Idealism: The Role of Objectivity and the Notion of “Fact” 331
- “Heard Enough from the Experts”? A Popperian Enquiry 348
- Realism in Archaeology – A Philosophical Perspective 365
-
VIII Realism and the Social World: From Social Sciences to the Sciences of the Artificial
- A Structural Realist Approach to International Relations Theory 391
- Objectivity and Truth in Sciences of Communication and the Case of the Internet 415
- Index of Names 437
- Subject Index 447