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Generality and Causal Interdependence in Ecology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2022

Alkistis Elliott-Graves
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Abstract

A hallmark of ecological research is dealing with complexity in the systems under investigation. One strategy is to diminish this complexity by constructing models and theories that are general. Alternatively, ecologists can constrain the scope of their generalizations to particular phenomena or types of systems. However, research employing the second strategy is often met with scathing criticism. I offer a theoretical argument in support of moderate generalizations in ecological research, based on the notions of interdependence and causal heterogeneity and their effect on the trade-off between generality and realism.

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Type
Ecology
Information
Philosophy of Science , Volume 85 , Issue 5 , December 2018 , pp. 1102 - 1114
Copyright
Copyright © The Philosophy of Science Association

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Footnotes

†

I would like to thank Roberta Millstein, Steve Peck, Chris Eliot, Adrian Currie, an anonymous reviewer, and the audience at the 2016 PSA for helpful and constructive comments.

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