Bibliographical data for
Author
Title of Edited Collection
Open MIND
Editors
Publication Date
January 2015
Publication Place
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
ISBN
9783958570634
Abstract
In this commentary I will briefly sketch the notion of “levels of mechanisms” as presented by Carl Craver and propose that we extend it to a more general notion of “level” that ensures wider applicability. The account of levels I develop is essentially based on an account of “properties”, claiming dependence of instantiation on a certain epistemic context. The main goal is then to reconcile Craver 's notion of “mechanisms” with “emergence” resulting in a contemporary account of “mechanistic emergence” implementing the developed concept of a level. Such an account could provide explanatory potential for and elucidate on seemingly mysterious higher-level properties and their ontology.
Keywords
Causation,
Descriptive pluralism,
Dispositional essentialism,
Dualism,
Emergence,
Epistemic context,
Level,
Mechanisms,
Mechanistic emergence,
Mechanistic explanation,
New essentialism,
Novelty,
Ontological novelty,
Part–whole relationship,
Properties,
Property instantiation,
Realization,
Unexplainability,
Unpredictability