Abstract
In this chapter I compare catalytic theory of causality with structural–systemic theory of causality. I begin with the discussion about why the notion of causality matters and how it is related to scientific explanation. I show that linear cause–effect (i.e., efficient) understanding of causality followed in the modern mainstream psychology is limited and does not allow to understand what the studied thing or phenomenon is. I propose that structural–systemic causality is better grounded as a theory of scientific explanation. Next I analyze basic notions of catalytic causality theory and compare them with those from the structural–systemic theory. Theoretically important notions discussed in the chapter are: ‘system’, ‘whole’, ‘part’, ‘relationship’, ‘downward causality’, and ‘catalytic causality’. Structural–systemic definition of the notion of ‘quality’ is also provided and justified. I demonstrate that catalytic causality theory, even though being substantial achievement over efficient causality theory, is internally incoherent. I suggest that the very use for psychology in particular and science in general notion of catalysis is better understood in the framework of structural-systemic theory.
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Toomela, A. (2014). A Structural Systemic Theory of Causality and Catalysis. In: Cabell, K., Valsiner, J. (eds) The Catalyzing Mind. Annals of Theoretical Psychology, vol 11. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8821-7_15
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