In this article, we discuss the issue of context-dependence mechanism-based explanation in social sciences. The different ways which and context-independence have been understood sciences are often motivated by apparently incompatible understandings what explanatory mechanisms are. Instead, suggest that varieties best seen as corresponding to research goals. Rather than conflicting with one ano...

Abstract The new mechanists and the autonomy approach both aim to account for how biological phenomena are explained. One identifies appeals components of a mechanism organized so that their activities produce phenomenon. other directs attention towards whole organism focuses on it achieves self-maintenance. This paper discusses challenges each confronts could benefit from collaboration with ot...