Mekanistiske

Mekanistiske, often translated as mechanistic, is an adjective used in science, philosophy, and related fields to describe explanations, models, or theories that attribute phenomena to mechanical causes and physical interactions among parts. It emphasizes that processes can be explained by the arrangement and interactions of components following the laws of physics, chemistry, and mathematics, and contrasts with teleological or vitalistic accounts.

Historically, mechanism emerged in the early modern period as a rival to vitalism, with philosophers such as Descartes arguing that natural processes, including life processes, could be understood as machines. In biology and physiology, mechanistic explanations analyze how cellular and molecular interactions lead to function, treating organisms as networks of interacting parts. In contemporary science, mechanistic models are used across disciplines—molecular biology, neuroscience, genetics, and systems biology—to map causation from components to outcomes.

In the social and computational sciences, mechanistic models describe systems as networks of interacting agents with rules, often implemented as simulations. In engineering and physics, mechanistic reasoning underpins models and experiments that predict behavior from forces and constraints. Critics argue that strict mechanism can neglect emergent properties, context, and purposive or conscious aspects of phenomena, and that some domains require probabilistic, statistical, or holistic approaches. Modern practice typically combines mechanistic detail with higher-level descriptions and integrative frameworks.

Etymology: from Greek mechanikos 'of machines'; related terms include mechanism and reductionism.