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Social mechanisms and social causation

Author

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  • Friedel Weinert

    (University of Bradford)

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine the notion of social mechanisms by comparison with the notions of evolutionary and physical mechanisms. It is argued that social mechanisms are based on trends, and not lawlike regularities, so that social mechanisms are different from mechanisms in the natural sciences. Taking as an example of social causation the abolition of the slave trade, this paper argues that social mechanisms should be incorporated in Weber’s wider notion of adequate causation in order to achieve their explanatory purpose.

Suggested Citation

  • Friedel Weinert, 2014. "Social mechanisms and social causation," The Journal of Philosophical Economics, Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, The Journal of Philosophical Economics, vol. 8(1), November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bus:jphile:v:8:y:2014:i:1:n:1
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    ideal types; mechanisms (evolutionary; physical; social); natural selection; rainbows; regularities; slave trade; social causation; trends; Weber;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D00 - Microeconomics - - General - - - General
    • Z00 - Other Special Topics - - General - - - General

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