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Outputs (220)

Natural Laws and the Closure of Physics. (2010)
Book Chapter
Cartwright, N. (2010). Natural Laws and the Closure of Physics. In R. Chiao, A. Leggett, M. Cohen, & C. Harper (Eds.), Visions of Discovery. New Light on Physics, Cosmology and Consciousness (612-622). Cambridge University Press

Relativism in the Philosophy of Science. (2010)
Book Chapter
Cartwright, N. (2010). Relativism in the Philosophy of Science. In M. Krausz (Ed.), Relativism: A Contemporary Anthology (86-99). Columbia University Press

Does Roush show that evidence should be probable? (2010)
Journal Article
Fennell, D., & Cartwright, N. (2010). Does Roush show that evidence should be probable?. Synthese, 175(3), 289-310. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-009-9510-3

This paper critically analyzes Sherrilyn Roush’s (Tracking truth: knowledge, evidence and science, 2005) definition of evidence and especially her powerful defence that in the ideal, a claim should be probable to be evidence for anything. We suggest... Read More about Does Roush show that evidence should be probable?.

The limitations of randomized controlled trials in predicting effectiveness (2010)
Journal Article
Cartwright, N., & Munro, E. (2010). The limitations of randomized controlled trials in predicting effectiveness. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 16(2), 260-266. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2753.2010.01382.x

What kinds of evidence reliably support predictions of effectiveness for health and social care interventions? There is increasing reliance, not only for health care policy and practice but also for more general social and economic policy deliberatio... Read More about The limitations of randomized controlled trials in predicting effectiveness.

Hunting Causes and Using Them: Approaches in Philosophy and Economics (2010)
Journal Article
Cartwright, N. (2010). Hunting Causes and Using Them: Approaches in Philosophy and Economics. Analysis, 70(2), 307-310. https://doi.org/10.1093/analys/anp157

Hunting Causes and Using Them: Approaches in Philosophy and Economics (HC&UT) is about notions of causality appropriate to the sciences, mostly generic causal claims (causal laws) and especially notions that connect causality with probability.1 Most... Read More about Hunting Causes and Using Them: Approaches in Philosophy and Economics.

Evidence-Based Policy: Where Is Our Theory of Evidence? (2010)
Journal Article
Cartwright, N., Goldfinch, A., & Howick, J. (2010). Evidence-Based Policy: Where Is Our Theory of Evidence?. Journal of Children's Services, 4(4), 6-14. https://doi.org/10.5042/jcs.2010.0017

This article critically analyses the concept of evidence in evidence‐based policy, arguing that there is a key problem: there is no existing practicable theory of evidence, one which is philosophically‐grounded and yet applicable for evidence‐based p... Read More about Evidence-Based Policy: Where Is Our Theory of Evidence?.

What are randomised controlled trials good for? (2010)
Journal Article
Cartwright, N. (2010). What are randomised controlled trials good for?. Philosophical Studies, 147(1), 59-70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11098-009-9450-2

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are widely taken as the gold standard for establishing causal conclusions. Ideally conducted they ensure that the treatment ‘causes’ the outcome—in the experiment. But where else? This is the venerable question of... Read More about What are randomised controlled trials good for?.

Measuring the Impact of Philosophy (2010)
Digital Artefact
Bovens, L., & Cartwright, N. (2010). Measuring the Impact of Philosophy

The question of concern for this inquiry is “what evidence is there on the feasibility or effectiveness of estimating the economic impact of research” in this field? There is a current tendency to think that evidence consists only in empirical studie... Read More about Measuring the Impact of Philosophy.

How To Do Things with Causes (2009)
Journal Article
Cartwright, N. D. (2009). How To Do Things with Causes. Proceedings and addresses of the American Philosophical Association, 83(2), 5-22

What is this thing called 'efficacy'? (2009)
Book Chapter
Cartwright, N. D. (2009). What is this thing called 'efficacy'?. In C. Mantzavinos (Ed.), Philosophy of the social sciences : philosophical theory and scientific practice (185-206). Cambridge University Press

This paper is about efficacy, effectiveness, the need for theory to join the two, and the tragedies of exporting the Cochrane medical-inspired ideology to social policy. Loosely, efficacy is what is established about causes in RCTs – randomized contr... Read More about What is this thing called 'efficacy'?.

If No Capacities then No Credible Worlds. But Can Models Reveal Capacities? (2009)
Journal Article
Cartwright, N. (2009). If No Capacities then No Credible Worlds. But Can Models Reveal Capacities?. Erkenntnis, 70(1), 45-48. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10670-008-9136-8

This paper argues that even when simple analogue models picture parallel worlds, they generally still serve as isolating tools. But there are serious obstacles that often stop them isolating in just the right way. These are obstacles that face any mo... Read More about If No Capacities then No Credible Worlds. But Can Models Reveal Capacities?.

Causality, Invariance and Policy (2009)
Book Chapter
Cartwright, N. (2009). Causality, Invariance and Policy. In H. Kincaid, & D. Ross (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of philosophy of economics (410-423). Oxford University Press

This chapter has five aims: 1. To explain the puzzling methodology of an important econometric study of health and status. 2. To note the widespread use of invariance in both economic and philosophical studies of causality to guarantee that causal kn... Read More about Causality, Invariance and Policy.

Replies (2008)
Book Chapter
Cartwright, N. (2008). Replies. In S. Hartmann, C. Hoefer, & L. Bovens (Eds.), Nancy Cartwright's Philosophy of Science. Routledge

Theories: Tools versus Models (2008)
Journal Article
Cartwright, N., & Suarez, M. (2008). Theories: Tools versus Models. Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics, 39(1), 61-81