Heritability and indirect causation
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
Philosophy of Science
Publication Date
12-1-2003
Volume
70
Issue
5
First Page
1002
Last Page
1014
Abstract
Genetic differences can lead to phenotypic differences either directly or indirectly (via causing differences in external environments, which then affect phenotype). This possibility of genetic effects being mediated by environmental influences is often used by scientists and philosophers to argue that heritability is not a very helpful causal or explanatory notion. In this paper it is shown that these criticisms are based on serious misconceptions about methods of behavior genetics.
DOI
10.1086/377384
Print ISSN
00318248
E-ISSN
1539767X
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2003 by the Philosophy of Science Association
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Additional Information
Paper presented at the 18th Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy-of-Science-Association, Nov 07-09, 2002, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Sesardic, N. (2003). Heritability and indirect causation. Philosophy of Science, 70(5), 1002-1014. doi: 10.1086/377384