Mind and Life: Mechanistic and Topological Perspectives

Program committee: Daniel Kostić and Philippe Huneman

Organizing committee: Daniel Kostić, Slobodan Perović, Živan Lazović

Attendance is free. 

The Topic of the Conference

Debates about explanations in philosophy of biology and neuroscience traditionally focus on several different models of explanations such as causal, dynamic, probabilistic, etc. The mechanistic approach to explanations currently emerged as central to life sciences and cognitive neuroscience (e.g. Bechtel and Richardson, 2010; Craver and Bechtel, 2007; Craver 2007; Darden 2006; Machamer, Darden and Craver 2000); however, recently, it has also been emphasized that explanations relying on structural, mathematical or topological considerations (e.g. Jackson and Pettit, 1998; Huneman, 2010; Batterman 2010) can play a significant role in explaining certain phenomena in various special sciences (Bassett and Bullmore, 2006; Benkö et al, 2009;  Bullmore and Sporns, 2009; Cupal et al, 1999; Fontana 2002; Honey et al 2009; Stadler et al, 2001). The relationship and prospects of these two approaches to scientific explanation have not yet been widely discussed.

The aim of this conference is to gather experts in philosophy of biology, mind, neuroscience and related areas who will discuss the relationship between these two approaches to explanation. Furthermore, the conference will discuss some dominant views concerning causation, explanation and levels of organization that are relevant for the individuation of properties and explanations.   

Contact person:

Daniel Kostić

Email: [email protected]

Tel.: +381 (0) 66 0100 31