A realist approach to biological events.
In this paper, I aim to show that the multiple realisability and the causal efficacy of biological events can best be explained by construing biological events as determinables of more determinate physical events. The determination relation itself is spelled out in terms of inclusive essence. In order to secure actual causation for biological events (in contrast to causal influence), two conditions are introduced such that for some events, biological events qualify as their cause. Finally, certain consequences of the presented theory are discussed, such as the question of how the biological token event can retain its identity across modal modifications of its realiser, and such as how the presented solution bears on the classical problem of biological causation.
Harbecke
Jens
J
University of Lausanne, Department of Philosophy & Centre Romand for Logic, History & Philosophy of Science, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
D000818:Animals; D001695:Biology; D015984:Causality; D006801:Humans; D010684:Philosophy