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The Philosophy of Science and Engineering DesignMechanistic Explanation in Engineering Science

The Philosophy of Science and Engineering Design: Mechanistic Explanation in Engineering Science [Explanation already loomed large in Chap. 1 on the explanatory utility of function ascriptions in engineering. In this chapter we take a closer look at the structure of (mechanistic) explanation in engineering. This analysis highlights different meanings that engineers attach to the notion of function, and clarifies the explanatory relevance of this ambiguity, it suggests an extension of the mechanistic program when applied to engineering science and, moreover, contains general lessons on the explanatory power of mechanistic explanations. In explicating the structure of mechanistic explanation, we will also address the question (iii) ‘How does artifact x realize its capacity to ϕ?’ and the relevance of function ascription in procuring an answer to this question. (we will address this relevance both for type and token-level cases).] http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png

The Philosophy of Science and Engineering DesignMechanistic Explanation in Engineering Science

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Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2016
ISBN
978-3-319-35154-4
Pages
17 –38
DOI
10.1007/978-3-319-35155-1_2
Publisher site
See Chapter on Publisher Site

Abstract

[Explanation already loomed large in Chap. 1 on the explanatory utility of function ascriptions in engineering. In this chapter we take a closer look at the structure of (mechanistic) explanation in engineering. This analysis highlights different meanings that engineers attach to the notion of function, and clarifies the explanatory relevance of this ambiguity, it suggests an extension of the mechanistic program when applied to engineering science and, moreover, contains general lessons on the explanatory power of mechanistic explanations. In explicating the structure of mechanistic explanation, we will also address the question (iii) ‘How does artifact x realize its capacity to ϕ?’ and the relevance of function ascription in procuring an answer to this question. (we will address this relevance both for type and token-level cases).]

Published: Aug 21, 2016

Keywords: Mechanistic explanation; Function; Engineering; Explanatory power

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