Single Idea 10366

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 4. Naturalised causation]

Full Idea

The main argument for causation being transcendent (rather than being immanent in nature) is that absences can be involved in causal relations. Thus a rock-climber is caused to survive by not falling.

Gist of Idea

Causation transcends nature, because absences can cause things

Source

Jonathan Schaffer (The Metaphysics of Causation [2007], 1.1)

Book Reference

'Stanford Online Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Stanford University [plato.stanford.edu], p.5


A Reaction

I don't like that. The obvious strategy is to redescribe the events. Even being hit with a brick could be described as an 'absence of brick-prevention'. So not being hit by a brick can be described as 'presence of brick prevention'.