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The Idea of Downward & Upward

Causation

What is Upward and Downward Causation?

Upward causation implies that the nature of the whole is influenced
by the parts.

Downward causation implies that (once formed) the needs of the
whole influence the nature of the parts.

The term downward causation was originally coined in 1974 by the
philosopher and social scientist Donald T. Campbell. No one appears
to claim to have originated the term upward causation though it goes
back as far as the Newtonian worldview at least.

The Nature of Upward and Downward Causation

Upward and downward causation occurs in both the context (voters-
government) and inside business systems (employees-leadership), for
example:

 Upward Causation: The nature of the parts (personalities,
preferences, beliefs, needs, values, norms of employees,

partners, funders) influence the selection of the goals of the
whole inside businesses and as, say, voters inside the context.

 Downward Causation: The goals of the business or the
policies of government influence the behaviors of the parts by
requiring them to adapt their behaviors to the achievement of
the goals of the business or the, say, needs of the nation (e.g.,

conscription into armed forces).
 Reciprocal Relationship: Upward and downward causation
is essentially a Reciprocal Relationship with upward influencing

downward, which influences downward. This is not necessarily

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