Downward causation plays a fundamental role in many theories of metaphysics and philosophy of mind. It is strictly connected with many topics in philosophy including but not limited to: emergence mental causation the nature of causation the nature of causal powers and dispositions laws of nature and the possibility of ontological and epistemic reductions. Philosophical and Scientific Perspectives on Downward Causation brings together experts from different fieldsâincluding William Bechtel Stewart Clark and Tom Lancaster Carl Gillett John Heil Robin F. Hendry Max Kistler Stephen Mumford and Rani Lill Anjum âwho delve into classic and unexplored lines of philosophical inquiry related to downward causation. It critically assesses the possibility of downward causation given different ontological assumptions and explores the connection between downward causation and the metaphysics of causation and dispositions. Finally it presents different cases of downward causation in empirical fields such as physics chemistry biology and the neurosciences. This volume is both a useful introduction and a collection of original contributions on this fascinating and hotly debated philosophical topic. . Language: English