A dual decomposition strategy of both microbial and phenotypic components for a better understanding of causal claims

Abstract

In our commentary on Lynch et al.’s target paper (Biol Philos, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10539-019-9702-2), we focus on decomposition as a research strategy. We argue that not only the presumptive microbial causes but also their supposed phenotypic effects need to be decomposed relative to each other. Such a dual decomposition strategy ought to improve the way in which causal claims in microbiome research can be made and understood.