ABSTRACT
Instead of viewing dynamical and mechanistic models as competitors, proponents of the mechanistic perspective see dynamical models as complementary to the description of mechanisms. This chapter surveys the different sides of the debate over the nature of dynamical explanation with a specific focus on examples from cognitive science and neuroscience. It first outlines some basic features of the dynamical systems theory (DST) framework. The Haken-Kelso-Bunz (HKB) model is an exemplar of the dynamical approach. It remains one of the most influential quantitative models of human motor behavior and serves as a central case in philosophical discussions concerning dynamical explanation. After exploring the main positions staked out in the debate and identifying their primary strengths and limitations, the chapter highlights the advantages of embracing a mechanistic approach to dynamical explanation. It then addresses several major open challenges facing the mechanistic approach and concludes by briefly discussing some important future directions for the debate.
