Full Idea
Process theories of causation face a serious problem, such as killing a plant by failing to water it - a cause by omission. …Defenders of the theory propose two concepts of causation: one for legal and one for scientific contexts.
Gist of Idea
If causes are processes, what is causation by omission? (Distinguish legal from scientific causes?)
Source
Baron,S/Miller,K (Intro to the Philosophy of Time [2019], 6.2.3)
Book Reference
Baron,S/Miller,K: 'Introduction to the Philosophy of Time' [Polity 2019], p.151
A Reaction
Not much of a problem, I think. Clearly the scientific concept has priority. The plant died of dehydration, resulting from the consumption and evaporation of the available water. The human causes of that situation are legion.
Related Idea
Idea 23011 Modern accounts of causation involve either processes or counterfactuals [Baron/Miller]