George Ellis
Top-down causation and emergence: some comments on mechanisms
University of Cape Town|Google (United States)|Albert Ellis Institute
bottomup topdown causation occur hierarchy structure causation key feature multiple realizability higher level functions consequent existence equivalence classes lower level variables correspond higher level state five essentially different classes topdown influence identified existence demonstrated many realworld examples algorithmic topdown causation topdown causation via nonadaptive information control topdown causation via adaptive selection topdown causation via adaptive information control intelligent topdown causation effect human mind physical world mind abstract entities mathematical structures causal power causal slack enabling topdown action take place lies structuring system attain higher level functions way nature lower level elements changed context microindeterminism combined adaptive selection understanding topdown causation important effects society two cases mentioned medicalhealthcare issues educationin particular teaching reading writing cases ongoing battle bottomup topdown approaches important consequences society