Associate professor and faculty member of Mufid University, Department of Philosophy, Qom, Iran
Abstract
This article aims at giving a 'causal explanation' of empirical understanding of human agency in his deeds and behaviors. Causal explanation cannot be restricted to explaining other creatures' deeds which are in accordance with certain rules. The author tries to show that each one of man's behavior belongs to specific longitudinal and latitudinal spheres each of which lies under a specific causal relationship. In the causal relationship existing in these spheres, man's behavior emerges as an integrated entity. The distinction between natural sciences and humanities are the difficulties one faces when one attempts to present a causal explanation of human behavior, social or individual, depicting it as an effect of multiple but gradual existential causes. The solution to this problem is not to reduce to sphere to another nor is the solution to neglect one sphere for the sake of another. The solution to this problem is to carry out investigation for longitudinal and latitudinal causes on the basis of human beings' common nature.
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