mekanistiselta

Mekanistiselta is the Finnish adessive form of the adjective mekanistinen, meaning mechanistic. It is used to indicate a standpoint, basis, or approach that relies on mechanical or physical explanations. In phrases such as mekanistiselta kannalta or mekanistiselta näkökulmalta, the term signals that the discussion is framed from a mechanistic perspective.

In scientific and philosophical contexts, mekanistinen or mekanistiselta as a modifier describes explanations that reduce phenomena to the interactions of parts governed by physical or chemical laws. This contrasts with teleological, vitalist, or holist approaches that appeal to purposes, vital forces, or emergent properties. Mechanistic explanations are common in biology, physiology, neuroscience, cognitive science, and the philosophy of science, where researchers analyze systems in terms of components, mechanisms, and causal chains.

Etymologically, the word derives from mekanismi (mechanism) and the Finnish adjective suffix -inen. The adessive form mekanistiselta is used when stating viewpoints, justifications, or sources of explanation, not as a standalone descriptor for an object. The term is part of everyday academic Finnish, particularly in discussions about methodology and the nature of explanations in science.