Heritability and indirect causation

Neven SESARDIC

doi:10.1086/377384

Heritability and indirect causation

Neven SESARDIC

Department of Philosophy

Research output: Journal Publications › Journal Article (refereed) › peer-review

9 Citations (SciVal)

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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1002-1014
Number of pages	13
Journal	Philosophy of Science
Volume	70
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1086/377384
Publication status	Published - 1 Dec 2003

Bibliographical note

Paper presented at the 18th Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy-of-Science-Association, Nov 07-09, 2002, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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10.1086/377384

Cite this

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title = "Heritability and indirect causation",

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.",

author = "Neven SESARDIC",

note = "Paper presented at the 18th Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy-of-Science-Association, Nov 07-09, 2002, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.",

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N1 - Paper presented at the 18th Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy-of-Science-Association, Nov 07-09, 2002, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

UR - http://commons.ln.edu.hk/sw_master/2129

U2 - 10.1086/377384

DO - 10.1086/377384

M3 - Journal Article (refereed)

SN - 0031-8248

VL - 70

SP - 1002

EP - 1014

JO - Philosophy of Science

JF - Philosophy of Science

IS - 5

ER -

Heritability and indirect causation

Abstract

Bibliographical note

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