When local causes are more explanatorily useful

Behav Brain Sci. 2023 Sep 11:46:e185. doi: 10.1017/S0140525X22002072.

Abstract

Madole & Harden plead for better integration of causal knowledge of different depths to understand complex human traits. Classically, local causes - a particular type of shallow causes - are considered less useful than more generalisable causes, giving a false impression that the latter causes are more useful and desirable. Using a simple example, I show that sometimes the contrary is true.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Causality
  • Humans
  • Knowledge*