Single Idea 4215

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 8. Particular Causation / b. Causal relata]

Full Idea

It seems proper to say that events of themselves possess no causal powers; only persisting objects (individual substances) possess causal powers.

Gist of Idea

It seems proper to say that only substances (rather than events) have causal powers

Source

E.J. Lowe (A Survey of Metaphysics [2002], p.211)

Book Reference

Lowe,E.J.: 'A Survey of Metaphysics' [OUP 2002], p.211


A Reaction

This requires events to be reduced to substances, which invites Aristotle's question of where the movement comes from. In physcis, 'energy' is the key concept.