Single Idea 4208

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 9. Counterfactual Claims]

Full Idea

Counterfactual analyses of event causation don't seem to work, because 'if Napoleon hadn't been born he wouldn't have died' is true, but doesn't mean his birth caused his death.

Clarification

'Counterfactual' analysis is based on 'If so-and-so happened..'

Gist of Idea

'If he wasn't born he wouldn't have died' doesn't mean birth causes death, so causation isn't counterfactual

Source

E.J. Lowe (A Survey of Metaphysics [2002], p.161)

Book Reference

Lowe,E.J.: 'A Survey of Metaphysics' [OUP 2002], p.161


A Reaction

Nice counterexample, which looks pretty conclusive. Birth makes death possible; it creates the necessary conditions within which it can be caused.