The Causal Closure of Physics: An Explanation and Critique

Author: Jones, Kile

Source: World Futures: The Journal of General Evolution, Volume 64, Number 3, April 2008 , pp. 179-186(8)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

Is the physical world causally closed? Can something immaterial have any causal role within physics? This article seeks to answer these questions by explaining the theory of Causal Closure. Causal Closure says that nothing immaterial can have any causal efficacy upon the material world. Physicalists have long held this position and have used it as an argument against Dualism, but does it hold? The hope of this article is that we may better understand the arguments for and against Causal Closure in order to discover a cogent philosophy of science.

Keywords: Causal Closure; completeness; Dualism; mental states; physicalism; qualia

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02604020701807400

Affiliations: 1: University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK

Publication date: 2008-04-01