Single Idea 23013

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

Full Idea

According to contemporary process theories of causation it consists of the transference of a 'mark', which is always some conserved quantity. Candidates (from science) are mass, energy, momentum and electric charge.

Gist of Idea

The main process theory of causation says it is transference of mass, energy, momentum or charge

Source

Baron,S/Miller,K (Intro to the Philosophy of Time [2019], 6.2.2)

Book Reference

Baron,S/Miller,K: 'Introduction to the Philosophy of Time' [Polity 2019], p.150


A Reaction

Given my commitment to physicalism, this is my preferred theory of causation. It began with the suggestion of energy-transfer, but has broadened into the present idea. It is an updated version of the Newton view, as the meeting of objects.

Related Ideas

Idea 23011 Modern accounts of causation involve either processes or counterfactuals [Baron/Miller]

Idea 8326 Science has shown that causal relations are just transfers of energy or momentum [Fair, by Sosa/Tooley]

Idea 23012 Newtonian causation is changes of motion resulting from collisions [Newton, by Baron/Miller]