Causation in science and the methods of scientific discovery / Rani Lill Anjum and Stephen Mumford.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Anjum, Rani Lill, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Science--Methodology.

Science.

Causation.

Physical Description:

xiii, 278 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2018.

Summary:

Causation is the main foundation upon which the possibility of science rests. Without causation, there would be no scientific understanding, explanation, prediction, nor application in new technologies. How we discover causal connections is no easy matter, however. Causation often lies hidden from view and it is vital that we adopt the right methods for uncovering it. The choice of methods will inevitably reflect what one takes causation to be, making an accurate account of causation an even more pressing matter. This enquiry informs the correct norms for an empirical study of the world.0In Causation in Science and the Methods of Scientific Discovery, Rani Lill Anjum and Stephen Mumford propose nine new norms of scientific discovery. A number of existing methodological and philosophical orthodoxies are challenged as they argue that progress in science is being held back by an overly simplistic philosophy of causation.

Contents:

Part I. Science and philosophy

Metascience and better science

Do we need causation in science?

Evidence of causation is not causation

Part II. Perfect correlation

What's in a correlation?

Same cause, same effect

Under ideal conditions

One effect, one cause?

Part III. Interference and prevention

Have your cause and beat it

From regularities to tendencies

The modality of causation

Part IV. Causal mechanisms

Is the business of science to construct theories?

Are more data better?

The explanatory power of mechanisms

Digging deeper to find the real causes?

Part V. Linking causes to effects

Making a difference

Making nothing happen

It all started with a big bang

Does science need laws of nature?

Part VI. Probability

Uncertainty, certainty, and beyond

What probabilistic causation should be

Calculating conditional probability?

Part VII. External validity

Risky predictions

What RCTs do not show

Part VIII. Discovering causes and understanding them

Getting involved

Uncovering causal powers

Learning from causal failure

Plural methods, one causation

Getting real about the ideals of science

Conclusion: new norms of science.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 255-269) and index.

ISBN:

0198733666

9780198733669

OCLC:

1030613398