Because Without Cause
Non-Casual Explanations In Science and Mathematics
Marc Lange
Reviews and Awards
"This is a tremendous book. It brings together and synthesizes Marc Lange's highly original work over the past decade on non-causal explanation in science and mathematics. Like much of Lange's oeuvre, it represents naturalistic metaphysics of science that draws inspiration and support from a wealth of detailed, carefully researched examples from the sciences, going back to the early nineteenth century and beyond. ... The way in which these examples are coupled with open-minded" - dare I say adventurous
"[This book] exemplifies the methodology of integrating history and philosophy of science to full effect. Almost every example, of literally dozens, is new to the discussion and shows both careful attention to historical detail and impressive familiarity with the finer points of the relevant mathematics and physics. ... It is a fully prepared feast of new material for philosophers, especially but not only philosophers of science, to dive into, argue against, add to, refine, or apply to further discussions." - Holly Andersen, Mind
"This is an original and thought-provoking contribution to the current debate on non-causal explanations in philosophy of science and philosophy of mathematics... Lange's book is an excellent, creative and thought-provoking scholarly contribution to the current debate on explanation. In particular, I believe it is likely the book will have a stimulating and fruitful effect on the literature." - Alexander Reutlinger, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews
"The book has plenty to recommend it: broadness of vision and ambition-he covers a lot of ground (both scientific and philosophical)-as well as a wealth of examples (several original, all worked out in detail)... My overall assessment is that this is a substantial book well worth studying. It will elicit interesting debates in the years to come." - Sorin Bangu, British Journal of Philosophy of Science