Investigating the epistemic role of ‘mechanisms’ within biomedicine
Philosophers of science have insisted that evidence of underlying mechanisms is required to support claims about the effects of medical interventions. Yet evidence about mechanisms does not feature on dominant evidence-based medicine “hierarchies.” In this session we explore what it means for a ‘mechanism’ to count as evidence for efficacy and effectiveness.

Core reading: Howick J (2012). Exposing the vanities – and a qualified defense – of mechanistic reasoning in health care decision making. Philosophy of Science, 78(5):926-940.
Date: 17 November 2015, 16:30
Venue: All Souls College, High Street OX1 4AL
Venue Details: Hovenden Room
Speakers: Professor Alexander Bird (Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford), Dr Jeremy Howick (Nuffield Dept. of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford.)
Organising department: Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences
Organiser contact email address: jeremy.howick@phc.ox.ac.uk
Part of: Topics in the philosophy of medicine
Topics:
Booking required?: Not required
Audience: Members of the University only
Editor: Dan Richards-Doran