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Functional Stability and Systems Level Causation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2022

Anders Strand  and
Gry Oftedal
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Abstract

A wide range of gene knockout experiments shows that functional stability is an important feature of biological systems. On this backdrop, we present an argument for higher-level causation based on counterfactual dependence. Furthermore, we sketch a metaphysical picture providing resources to explain the metaphysical nature of functional stability, higher-level causation, and the relevant notion of levels. Our account aims to clarify the role empirical results and philosophical assumptions should play in debates about reductionism and higher-level causation. It thereby contributes to the development of a philosophical foundation for systems biology.

Type
Research Article
Information
Philosophy of Science , Volume 76 , Issue 5 , December 2009 , pp. 809 - 820
Copyright
Copyright © The Philosophy of Science Association

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Footnotes

‡

Thanks to Henrik Forssell, Nils Roll-Hansen, and the participants at the biennial PSA meeting in Pittsburgh 2008 and the Seminar in Science Studies in Oslo, January 2009.

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