Single Idea 17526

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 9. General Causation / c. Counterfactual causation]

Full Idea

The counterfactual approach makes no distinction between cause and condition, ...but when the smoke sets off the fire alarm, the smoke is the cause, whereas the presence of the alarm is just the condition.

Gist of Idea

The counterfactual approach makes no distinction between cause and pre-condition

Source

Alexander Bird (Causation and the Manifestation of Powers [2010], p.162)

Book Reference

'The Metaphysics of Powers', ed/tr. Marmodoro,Anna [OUP 2013], p.162


A Reaction

Bird defends the idea that causes are what stimulate dispositions to act.