Deconstructing Explanation by Mechanism

Critical realism and analytic sociology support what can be called explanation by mechanism (EbM). EbM consists of three distinct theses. The elaboration thesis says that mere observation of interdependencies cannot be considered a full explanation because it does not give a description of how the proposed causal connection comes about. The mechanism thesis claims that elaboration must contain an account of the generative/causal mechanism at work. The actionalism thesis cannot be placed within all versions of EbM because it states that an account of a mechanism should describe (1) the situation of the agents and (2) the actions the agents undertake on the basis of their situation. The paper argues that both the elaboration thesis and the actionalism thesis are of crucial importance. However, elaboration should not be equated only with an account of mechanism(s) because a 'theory' of the agent (agent-image) and an account of the relevant context(s) are needed.