Review of Stavros Ioannidis and Stathis Psillos's Mechanisms in Science: Method or Metaphysics?

The book review discusses Stavros Ioannidis and Stathis Psillos's book "Mechanisms in Science: Method or Metaphysics?" The reviewer praises the book for its clear philosophical arguments, scientific case studies, and historical context. The central theses of the book are that contemporary mechanistic philosophy of science often includes unnecessary metaphysical commitments and that an account of mechanism as a causal pathway without these commitments is sufficient. The reviewer agrees with these theses but raises some points of disagreement regarding the concept of constitutive relevance. Overall, the reviewer recommends the book to philosophers of science interested in the topic of mechanism. [Extracted from the article]