The status of functional explanation in psychology : reduction and mechanistic explanation

Gervais, Raoul; Looren, Huub

doi:10.1177/0959354312453093

Title

The status of functional explanation in psychology : reduction and mechanistic explanation

Author

Gervais, Raoul

Looren, Huub

Abstract

The validity of functional explanations as they are commonly used in psychology has recently come under attack. Kims supervenience argument purports to prove that higher-level generalizations have no causal powers of their own, and hence are explanatorily irrelevant. In a nutshell, the supervenience argument forces us to either embrace epiphenomenalism of higher-level properties, or accept Kims specific brand of reductionism. However, with the current emphasis on mechanistic explanations, the literature on explanation in psychology has undergone some drastic changes. It could be argued, therefore, that Kims argument targets an outdated concept of functional explanations. In any case, these developments warrant a reassessment of the implications of his argument, which is the purpose of the present paper. First, we argue that the metaphysics behind the supervenience argument is incompatible with that of mechanisms. Second, we argue that Kims proposed brand of reductionism does not accurately describe the explanatory practices of cognitive science.

Language

English

Source (journal)

Theory and psychology. - London

Publication

London : 2013

ISSN

0959-3543

DOI

10.1177/0959354312453093

Volume/pages

23 :2 (2013) , p. 145-163