Problem Of Overdetermination Research Articles

Emergence in Ontic Structural Realism

The paper outlines the understanding of emergence in Ontic Structural Realism of James Ladyman (and his co-author Ross). First, the notion of emergence is explored, surveying the various distinctions associated with it (ontological vs. epistemological, diachronic vs. synchronic, weak vs. strong). It turns out that Ross and Ladyman’s notion of emergence is that of weak epistemological emergence compatible with ontic reduction. Particular notions of emergence are associated with the objection embodied in the Generalized Causal Exclusion Argument. The latter is sketched and the solution of Ross and Ladyman is presented: first, in general, the notion of weak emergence is not threatened by this objection. Causal reduction associated with it ensures that there are no competing causal explanations, so no overdetermination arises. Second, there is a peculiar feature of Ross and Ladyman’s theory; namely, there is no causation on the fundamental level, only pattern dynamism. Causation emerges only on higher levels of special sciences. Hence, there is no problem of causal overdetermination.

What is democratic backsliding?

What is democratic backsliding?

Erratum: “Solving the problem of overdetermination of quasisymmetric equilibrium solutions by near-axis expansions. II. Circular axis stellarator solutions” [Phys. Plasmas 28, 012509 (2021)

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Trade reforms and current account imbalances

This paper studies the effects of trade liberalization on capital flows in a dynamic Heckscher-Ohlin model and makes four contributions. First, we identify an interest rate over-determination problem in such a model, and solve it with an endogenous discount factor. Second, we show that a trade liberalization in a developing country generally leads to a greater current account surplus, which is the exact opposite of a common but partial equilibrium intuition. Third, factor market reforms reinforce the effect of the trade liberalization on capital outflows. Finally, our calibrations suggest that China's accession to the WTO is likely an important factor driving the rise of current account surplus during 2001–2010.

Are Citizens Causally Responsible for Voting Outcomes?

AbstractCan we hold citizens causally responsible for the outcomes of their voting decisions? They could stand in the causal relationship required for such responsibility either collectively or individually. Recent accounts ascribing responsibility to citizens have primarily taken the collective route because of a major obstacle to using an individualistic approach, namely, the problem of overdetermination: the actions of each citizen do not make an individual difference to, and therefore cannot be a cause of, the overall political outcome. I suggest, drawing on Parfit (1984) and Wright (1985), that we should allow for the idea that individuals can be causally responsible in virtue of making a difference to an outcome not only as an individual, but also as part of a set of agents. I conclude that we can therefore overcome the problem of overdetermination for the individualistic approach and that it merits further investigation.

Solving the problem of overdetermination of quasisymmetric equilibrium solutions by near-axis expansions. I. Generalized force balance

It is well known that the process of construction of quasisymmetric magnetic fields in magnetostatic equilibrium with isotropic pressure suffers from the problem of overdetermination. This has led to the widespread belief that global quasisymmetric solutions are likely not to exist. We develop a general near-axis expansion procedure that does not rely on the assumption of magnetostatic equilibria with isotropic pressure. We then demonstrate that in equilibria with anisotropic pressure, it is possible to circumvent the problem of overdetermination and carry out the power-series solutions to higher order. This suggests, contrary to current belief, that the existence of globally quasisymmetric fields is likely if one relaxes the assumption of magnetostatic equilibria with isotropic pressure.

Solving the problem of overdetermination of quasisymmetric equilibrium solutions by near-axis expansions. II. Circular axis stellarator solutions

We apply the near-axis expansion method for quasisymmetric magnetic fields with anisotropic pressure (developed in Paper I) [E. Rodriguez and A. Bhattacharjee, Phys. Plasmas 28, 012508 (2020)] to construct numerical solutions to circular axis stellarators. The solutions are found to second order in the distance from the axis, not possible in the standard Garren–Boozer construction [D. A. Garren and A. H. Boozer, Phys. Fluids B 3, 2822 (1991)], which assumes magnetostatic equilibria with isotropic pressure. In the limit of zero anisotropy, it is shown that a subset of coefficients can be chosen to avoid the overdetermination problem.

The Proportionality Argument and the Problem of Widespread Causal Overdetermination

Abstract The consensus is that repeatable artworks cannot be identified with particular material individuals. A perennial temptation is to identify them with types, broadly construed. Such identification, however, faces the so-called “Creation Problem.” This problem stems from the fact that, on the one hand, it seems reasonable to accept the claims that (1) repeatable artworks are types, (2) types cannot be created, and (3) repeatable artworks are created, but, on the other hand, these claims are mutually inconsistent. A possible solution to the Creation Problem is to argue that claim (2) can be rejected because (a) the only motivation for it is that a type, being abstract, cannot stand in causal relations, but (b) this motivation is ungrounded, since types can, in fact, stand in such relations. Clearly, in order for this solution to be successful, it is necessary to substantiate the possibility of types to be causally efficacious. In this essay, I examine an attempt to do this with the help of Yablo’s principle of proportionality, which has been undertaken by Walters (2013) and, more recently, Juvshik (2018). Although the argument they advance may seem to provide strong support for the causal efficacy of types, I think it actually fails to do this. To explain why this is so, I first show that this argument commits us to the existence of widespread causal overdetermination involving types and then argue that this commitment is both epistemically and ontologically problematic.

A two‐sector neo‐Kaleckian model of growth and distribution: Investment allocation and evolutionary dynamics

AbstractThis paper focuses on the two‐sector neo‐Kaleckian model of growth and distribution that was developed by Dutt (1990) and challenged by Park (1995). We develop a variant of this model, focusing on the supply‐side to solve the overdetermination problem that was raised by Park. Finally, we introduce evolutionary dynamics to model the investment flows between the capital and consumer goods sectors. In this setup, the sectoral profit rates and the size of capital stocks wield an essential role upon the entrepreneur’s decision on which sector to invest in. This model is perfectly determined and it generates a stable evolutionary equilibrium over the long term.

THE PROBLEM OF NATURAL DIVINE CAUSATION AND THE BENEFITS OF PARTIAL CAUSATION: A RESPONSE TO SKOGHOLT

AbstractIn this article, I defend my previous argument that natural divine causation suffers under the problem of causal overdetermination and that it cannot serve as a line of demarcation between theistic evolution (TE) and intelligent design (ID). I do this in light of Christoffer Skogholt's critique of my article. I argue that Skogholt underestimates the naturalistic ambitions of some current thinkers in TE and fails, therefore, to adequately respond to my main argument. I also outline how partial causation better serves as a model for the relationship between God's providence and evolution.

La notion de paradigme indiciaire dans l’élaboration de la psychanalyse par Sigmund Freud

ObjectivesThe objective of this article is to question the comments of historian Carlo Ginzburg concerning the influence of Giovanni Morelli's theory of attribution in art on the establishment of psychoanalysis by Sigmund Freud, as well as the relevance of the bringing together of these two authors within a very specific epistemological paradigm that Ginzburg calls the evidential paradigm. MethodThe article first presents the general problem; it then exposes Ginzburg's theory of the evidential paradigm and Morelli's theory of attribution in art. This allows us to directly address the influence that Morelli could have had on Freud in the early stages of the development of psychoanalysis, particularly around the issue of overdetermination. ResultsWe can find the influence of Morelli's method on psychoanalysis in the way Freud approaches the problem of overdetermination of the symptom, and in the way he considers the overabundance of clinical material offered by patients in their speech as a valuable tool of analysis rather than as an obstacle. We can, indeed, find the principles of the evidential paradigm in psychoanalysis, because the latter seeks to uncover a reality that is inaccessible at first, i.e., the reality of the unconscious, from traces of this unconscious emerging in the patient's speech. DiscussionWe then wanted to question the limits of Ginzburg's convocation of Morelli and Freud, and thus determine whether psychoanalysis as Freud conceived it is indeed an adaptation of Morelli's principles to another object, or whether he only drew inspiration from the latter's theoretical and practical contributions, in order to conceive of psychoanalysis as a method going beyond the principles of the evidential paradigm. ConclusionWe are thus able to show that psychoanalysis is not limited only to the principles of the evidential paradigm in its approach to the unconscious, by looking, for instance, at the evolution of the Freudian conception of interpretation.

Mental causation as joint causation

This paper explores and defends the idea that mental properties and their physical bases jointly cause their physical effects. The paper evaluates the view as an emergentist response to the exclusion problem, comparing it with a competing nonreductive physicalist solution, the compatibilist solution, and argues that the joint causation view is more defensible than commonly supposed. Specifically, the paper distinguishes two theses of closure, Strong Closure and Weak Closure, two causal exclusion problems, the overdetermination problem and the supervenience problem, and argues that emergentists can avoid the overdetermination problem by denying Strong Closure and respond to the supervenience problem by accepting the joint causation view.

Forces in a true and physical sense: from mathematical models to metaphysical conclusions

J. Wilson (2009), Moore (2012), and Massin (2017) identify an overdetermination problem arising from the principle of composition in Newtonian physics. I argue that the principle of composition is a red herring: what's really at issue are contrasting metaphysical views about how to interpret the science. One of these views---that real forces are to be tied to physical interactions like pushes and pulls---is a superior guide to real forces than the alternative, which demands that real forces are tied to realized accelerations. Not only is the former view employed in the actual construction of Newtonian models, the latter is both unmotivated and inconsistent with the foundations and testing of the science.

Inconsistency and over-determination in balance-of-payments-constrained growth models: a note*

The objective of this short note is to re-evaluate the solution given by Palley (2002) for the inconsistency problem in BoP-constrained growth models. I show that once we distinguish the concepts of natural and warranted rates of growth that over-determination problem appears again, requiring the introduction of the level of real exchange rate in the formal structure of BoP models in order to be solved.

Self-organised manifold learning and heuristic charting via adaptive metrics

ABSTRACTClassical metric and non-metric multidimensional scaling (MDS) variants represent the well-known manifold learning (ML) methods which enable construction of low-dimensional representation (projections) of high-dimensional data inputs. However, their use is limited to the cases when data are inherently reducible to low dimensionality. In general, drawbacks and limitations of these, as well as pure, MDS variants become more apparent when the exploration (learning) is exposed to the structured data of high intrinsic dimension. As we demonstrate on artificial as well as real-world datasets, the over-determination problem can be solved by means of the hybrid and multi-component discrete-continuous multi-modal optimisation heuristics. A remarkable feature of the approach is that projections onto 2D are constructed simultaneously with the data categorisation compensating in part for the loss of original input information. We observed that the optimisation module integrated with ML modelling, metric learning and categorisation leads to a nontrivial mechanism resulting in heuristic charting of data.

Causation in the Law of State Responsibility and the Problem of Overdetermination: In Search of Clarity

This article addresses the preliminary steps that must be taken in order to study the problems stemming from overdetermination in the law of state responsibility. Overdetermination, broadly defined, is the existence of multiple causes (multiple wrongdoers, external natural causes, contribution to the injury by the victim and so on) contributing towards a harmful outcome. As relationships among states become more and more complex, there is a corresponding increase in the complexity of the potentially harmful outcomes of these relationships. The fact that the harm caused may originate in diverse sources (overdetermination) poses challenges to the law of state responsibility. These challenges pertain to most aspects of state responsibility, yet their dimension regarding causality has not been studied in depth. The confusion surrounding causal analysis conducted by international adjudicatory bodies leads to decisions that are not convincing in their determination of responsibility in causal terms. The argument of the article is twofold. First, it holds that the concept of causation in international law is unclear, especially in relation to overdetermination, and it must be clarified. Second, it holds that a clearer concept of causation can provide useful guidance to the decision-making process of international courts and tribunals: the clear and principled application of causal tests will, in turn, lead to clearer reasoning. A clearer judicial reasoning will improve the foreseeability of the judicial outcome, will provide better guidance for the parties before a court and will lead to a fairer judicial process.

Overdetermination, Counterfactuals, and Mental Causation

The overdetermination problem has long been raised as a challenge to nonreductive physicalism. Nonreductive physicalists have, in various ways, tried to resolve the problem through appeal to counterfactuals. This essay does two things. First, it takes up the question whether counterfactuals can yield an appropriate notion of causal redundancy and argues for a negative answer. Second, it examines how this issue bears on the mental causation debate. In particular, it considers the argument that the overdetermination problem simply does not arise on a dependency conception of causation and shows why this idea, though initially appealing, does not address the real problem. As the essay shows, the idea derives its spurious plausibility from the fact that the dependency conception cannot even make sense of our pretheoretic idea of causal redundancy. The essay concludes by briefly discussing a possible picture of mental causation that suggests itself in light of these results. The overdetermination problem has long been raised as a challenge to nonreductive physicalism. The problem is that a nonreductive physicalist view of mind seems to make every case of mental causation a case of overdetermination. Nonreductive physicalists have, in various ways, tried to resolve the problem through appeal to counterfactuals. In this essay, I take up the question whether counterfactuals can yield an appropriate notion of causal redundancy and examine how this issue bears on the mental causation debate. In particular, I'll be discussing whether, or to what extent, the overdetermination problem turns on particular conceptions of causation. The essay falls into two parts. In the first half (sections 1–2), after briefly presenting the overdetermination problem in section 1, I address the question whether counterfactuals can capture the notion of overdetermination and argue in section 2 for a negative answer. First, I consider David Lewis's (1986) and Jonathan Schaffer's (2003) definitions of overdetermination, and possible revisions to them, and show that the conditions they specify are neither necessary nor sufficient for overdetermination. I then argue that counterfactual analyses of overdetermination face the same kinds of problems as counterfactual analyses of causation and show that the source of these problems is that counterfactual analyses of overdetermination—just as those of causation—cannot accommodate the intuitive idea that causation is an intrinsic relation between events. The second half (sections 3–4) explores the implications of these observations for the mental causation problem. In section 3, I first argue that the attempt of Karen Bennett (2003, 2008) and similar attempts to resolve the overdetermination problem by invoking counterfactuals rest on a false premise, and then respond to the argument that the overdetermination problem simply does not arise on a dependency conception of causation (e.g., Burge 1993; Loewer 2002, 2007). I show why this idea, though initially appealing, does not address the real problem. As we will see, the idea derives its spurious plausibility from the fact that the dependency conception cannot make sense of our pretheoretic idea of causal redundancy. This means that the overdetermination problem cannot even be coherently stated on the dependency approach, revealing that counterfactual talk about causation is expressively impoverished. I conclude in section 4 by briefly discussing a possible picture of mental causation that suggests itself in light of these results.

High order of accuracy difference schemes for the inverse elliptic problem with Dirichlet condition

The overdetermination problem for elliptic differential equation with Dirichlet boundary condition is considered. The third and fourth orders of accuracy stable difference schemes for the solution of this inverse problem are presented. Stability, almost coercive stability, and coercive inequalities for the solutions of difference problems are established. As a result of the application of established abstract theorems, we get well-posedness of high order difference schemes of the inverse problem for a multidimensional elliptic equation. The theoretical statements are supported by a numerical example. MSC:35N25, 39A14, 39A30, 65J22.

Moore's account of causation and responsibility, and the problem of omissive overdetermination

In Causation and Responsibility Michael Moore sets out a sophisticated account of causation and responsibility, an account which I largely find compelling but for one issue, namely his response to the problem of omissive overdetermination. I will briefly set out his account of causation, then turn to this problem in detail.

Chromium-based rings within the DFT and Falicov–Kimball model approach

We present a comprehensive study of electronic and magnetic properties of octometallic homo- and heteronuclear chromium-based molecular rings Cr7MF8(O2CH)16 (in short Cr7M, M = Cr, Cd and Ni) by the first-principle density functional theory (DFT) and pseudopotential ideas. Their radii are around 1 nm. For each Cr7M, the antiferromagnetic configuration corresponds to the ground state and the ferromagnetic (high spin HS) configuration to the highest energy state. Using the broken symmetry (BS) approach, the differences between the total energies of the HS configuration and all the nonequivalent low spin configurations with s = ±3/2 are calculated and exploited to extract the coupling parameters J between the magnetic ions. Magnetic moments are found to be well localised on the Cr and Ni centres, although the localisation of spin density on Ni is weaker. Having calculated the excess energies for an unprecedented number of configurations, a family of the Ising-like models with the nearest- and the next-nearest-neighbour interactions has been considered. For each Cr7M, the values of the interaction parameters found within the unprojected method are coherent, despite the overdetermination problem and demonstrate that the next-nearest-neighbour couplings are negligible. The DFT estimates of the nearest-neighbour coupling calculated are overestimated and the relation J Cr–Cr/J Cr–Ni < 1 is not fulfilled. However, the improvement in these estimates has been achieved with respect to earlier calculations. Relying on the DFT results, the molecule is considered as a system of localised spins (or ions) S = ±3/2 and the idea to describe their interactions with itinerant electrons by the Falicov–Kimball (FK) model is suggested. In our approach, the effective magnetic interactions between ions are generated by local (on-site) Hund couplings between the ions and itinerant electrons. We demonstrate that the BS state energies obtained within DFT for Cr7M can be successfully represented by the FK model with a unique set of parameters.