Single Idea 8328

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

Full Idea

The temporal parts of an electron (for example) are causally related, but this relation does not involve any transfer of energy or momentum. Causation cannot be identified with physical energy relations, and physicalist reductions look unpromising.

Gist of Idea

Causation isn't energy transfer, because an electron is caused by previous temporal parts

Source

E Sosa / M Tooley (Introduction to 'Causation' [1993], §1)

Book Reference

'Causation', ed/tr. Sosa,E. /Tooley,M. [OUP 1993], p.4


A Reaction

This idea, plus Idea 8327, are their grounds for rejecting Fair's proposal (Idea 8326). It feels like a different use of 'cause' when we say 'the existence of x was caused by its existence yesterday'. It is more like inertia. Destruction needs energy.

Related Ideas

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

Idea 8327 If direction of causation is just direction of energy transfer, that seems to involve causation [Sosa/Tooley]