A formal framework for representing mechanisms?

In this article I tackle the question of how the hierarchical order of mechanisms can be representedwithin a causal graph framework. I illustrate an answer to this question proposed by Casini, Illari, Russo, andWilliamson and provide an example that their formalism does not support two important features of nested mechanisms: (i) a mechanism's submechanisms are typically causally interacting with other parts of said mechanism, and (ii) intervening in some of a mechanism's parts should have some influence on the phenomena the mechanism brings about. Finally, I sketch an alternative approach taking (i) and (ii) into account. © 2014 by the Philosophy of Science Association. All rights reserved