Resumen

BIROLO CANDIOTTO, Kleber Bez. Basic science and special science: a discussion about Jerry Fodor’s psychological causal laws. EPISTEME [online]. 2011, vol.31, n.1, pp.19-40. ISSN 0798-4324.

Understanding whether the mental states of an organism might, in fact, reveal the causal factors that lead that organism to action is, perhaps, the main focus of a science of the mind. However, the identification of causality between mental and physical events ignites the discussion about the characteristics of the possible laws underlying such relationship. The aim of this paper is to present the characteristics of the psychological causal laws identified by Fodor that, according to this author, serve as the basis for psychology as a special science, one distinctive from basic science. Furthermore, we discuss the fact that Davidson’s contribution may support Fodor’s antireductionist project. Finally, we criticize Fodor’s suggestion to include ceteris paribus clauses in the psychological causal laws, based on Davidson’s arguments and, above all, on Schiffer’s arguments and on his debate with Fodor.

Palabras clave : Mental causality; Special science; Psychological laws.

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