Probabilistic causality and idealization

https://doi.org/10.25100/pfilosofica.v0i45S.6065
Probabilistic causality Indeterministic process Idealized laws Concretization Probabilistic explanation

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Publicado: jul. 15, 2017
Número: Núm. 45S (2017): Praxis Filosófica No. 45 Suplemento julio-diciembre 2017
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Autores

José Luis Rolleri Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro, México
Resumen

The main aim of this paper is to provide some probabilistic notions on causality proposed to be applied to the nomic statements which intend to give account of the indeterministic processes within the domain of a scientific theory. In general, such statements are, in more or less extent, idealized statements which rest on a variety of unrealistic suppositions. I try to show how the probability distribution over the final states of an indeterministic process changes accordingly as the nomic statement in question is de-idealized by means of addition of the causally relevant factors. In order to illustrate the study I take few nomic statements from population genetics. Besides, in the course, I attempt to contrast the ideas embraced here with some of the notions of Humphreys´ ontic conceptions of causality and explanation, which are contrary to the epistemic view adopted here about those subjects.

Biografía del Autor

José Luis Rolleri, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro, México

Profesor del Departamento de Filosofía de la Universidad de Querétaro. Su área de estudio e investigación es la Filosofía de la Ciencia. Sus publicaciones recientes fueron “La objetividad del azar en la evolución de las especies” (2017), “El carácter probabilista del principio de selección natural” (2016).

E-mail: jlrolleri@yahoo.com

Cómo citar
Rolleri, J. L. (2017). Probabilistic causality and idealization. Praxis Filosófica, (45S), 55–75. https://doi.org/10.25100/pfilosofica.v0i45S.6065
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Recibido 2018-01-26
Aceptado 2018-01-26
Publicado 2017-07-15

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