Single Idea 4213

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 9. General Causation / b. Nomological causation]

Full Idea

Causation relations between events may an instance of a causal law, with laws either interpreted as constant conjunctions (Hume), or as necessitation among universals (Armstrong).

Gist of Idea

Causation may be instances of laws (seen either as constant conjunctions, or as necessities)

Source

E.J. Lowe (A Survey of Metaphysics [2002], p.190)

Book Reference

Lowe,E.J.: 'A Survey of Metaphysics' [OUP 2002], p.190


A Reaction

Hume's version is a thin idea of a law, but we can dream about the metaphysical status of laws, even if we don't know much about them. Lowe says a cause without a law is perfectly intelligible.