Single Idea 8542

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

Full Idea

Any account of causality as a relation between events should involve, in a central way, reference to the properties of the constituent objects of the events.

Gist of Idea

If causality is between events, there must be reference to the properties involved

Source

Sydney Shoemaker (Causality and Properties [1980], §01)

Book Reference

Shoemaker,Sydney: 'Identity, Cause and Mind' [OUP 2003], p.207


A Reaction

This remark, with which I wholeheartedly agree, is aimed at Davidson, who seems to think you need know no more about an event than the way in which someone chooses to describe it. Metaphysics must dig deeper, even if science can't.