This is the case – in my view – for example of mutation and selection mechanisms explaining Darwinian evolution although also these mechanisms and laws have to be explained at their micro layer in terms of genes and DNA mechanisms. To be less schematic and more correct, let me say that there are in the natural science “laws” that do really explain in terms of causal underlying “mechanisms” producing the phenomenon and its dynamics. But – in my view – is not valid only for human sciences. Of course, the need for explaining (not just predicting and describing) with the underlying devices the observed and observable phenomena, is particularly crucial for the cognitive and behavioral sciences, where the observable phenomena are due to unobservable postulated variables into the minds. They are simply descriptive and predictive we need the “why,” the “how” (see Cognitive Mechanisms Producing and Controlling Our Behavior & Computational Science for Reconciling “Emergence” with “Cognition”6). We needs at least all these layers and perspectives (diachronic and evolutional) for explaining our behaviors. We need the modeling of developmental processes, also because some causes of our adult behavior can be found in our personal and relational development (Developmental Cognitive Sciences). We need computational models of the processes postulated in our theories 1. “Laws” are not enough they are simply descriptive and predictive we need the “why” and “how.” Correlations are not enough (and they are frequently misleading). Second, we do not just need “predictions” and “laws” but also “explanations” that is, we need to identify the mechanisms producing (here-and-now, or diachronically) a given phenomenon. These layers should concern: the cognitive (mental) representations and mechanisms the neural underlying processes the evolutionary history and adaptive functions of our cognition and behaviors the emergent and complex social structures and dynamics, their relation and feedbacks on individual minds and behaviors, and the relationship between internal regulating goals and the external functions/roles of our conduct the historical and cultural mechanisms shaping our minds and behaviors the developmental paths. First, we need several different layers of “theory,” in particular for understanding human behavior. Two general claims are made in this work.
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