Abstract
Downward causation (first defined by Campbell, 1974) is both a philosophical concept and
an apparent phenomenon of nature attracting great controversy. Most scientists usually
assume that all observable phenomena derive from elemental fundamental physics, so that
even human behaviours ultimately result from interactions of subatomic particles, via a
unidirectional chain of causes and effects. On closer inspection, the act of living seems able
to spontaneously generate events, breaking this chain; it is as though life possessed 'free …
an apparent phenomenon of nature attracting great controversy. Most scientists usually
assume that all observable phenomena derive from elemental fundamental physics, so that
even human behaviours ultimately result from interactions of subatomic particles, via a
unidirectional chain of causes and effects. On closer inspection, the act of living seems able
to spontaneously generate events, breaking this chain; it is as though life possessed 'free …
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | From Matter to Life |
| Subtitle of host publication | Information and causality |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| Pages | 303-333 |
| Number of pages | 30 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781107150539 |
| Publication status | Published - 23 Feb 2017 |