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Single Idea 23011

[filed under theme 26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 1. Causation ]

Full Idea

The two major contemporary theories of causation are process theories and counterfactual theories. …Process theories treat it as something to be discovered. …Counterfactual theories ignore processes, and treat it in terms of truth and falsity.

Gist of Idea

Modern accounts of causation involve either processes or counterfactuals

Source

Baron,S/Miller,K (Intro to the Philosophy of Time [2019], 6.1)

Book Ref

Baron,S/Miller,K: 'Introduction to the Philosophy of Time' [Polity 2019], p.148

A Reaction

I take the counterfactual theory to be a specialised branch of the project of analytic metaphysics, which seeks the logical form of causation sentences, using possible worlds semantics. In the real word its processes or nothing.

Related Idea

Idea 23013 The main process theory of causation says it is transference of mass, energy, momentum or charge [Baron/Miller]

The 32 ideas with the same theme [general comments on the nature of causation]:

367 Anaxagoras says mind produces order and causes everything [Anaxagoras, by Plato]
327 There are two types of cause, the necessary and the divine [Plato]
17252 Acting on a body is either creating or destroying a property in it [Hobbes]
23012 Newtonian causation is changes of motion resulting from collisions [Newton, by Baron/Miller]
4772 If a singular effect is studied, its cause can only be inferred from the types of events involved [Hume]
2245 A priori it looks as if a cause could have absolutely any effect [Hume]
23632 Similar effects come from similar causes, and causes are only what are sufficient for the effects [Reid]
15614 Old metaphysics tried to grasp eternal truths through causal events, which is impossible [Hegel]
15247 Whitehead held that perception was a necessary feature of all causation [Whitehead, by Harré/Madden]
22955 Einstein took causation to be the bedrock of physics [Einstein, by Coveney/Highfield]
8436 Either cause and effect are subsumed under a conditional because of properties, or it is counterfactual [Bennett]
8441 Delaying a fire doesn't cause it, but hastening it might [Bennett]
10371 Distinguish causation, which is in the world, from explanations, which depend on descriptions [Davidson, by Schaffer,J]
8430 Causal statements are used to explain, to predict, to control, to attribute responsibility, and in theories [Kim]
15562 Causation is a general relation derived from instances of causal dependence [Lewis]
8324 The problem is to explain how causal laws and relations connect, and how they link to the world [Sosa/Tooley]
8404 Explain single events by general rules, or vice versa, or probability explains both, or they are unconnected [Field,H]
3890 'Cause' used to just mean any valid explanation [Scruton]
22927 The logical properties of causation are asymmetry, transitivity and irreflexivity [Le Poidevin]
19068 Causation interests us because we want to explain change [Mumford]
4399 Causes clearly make a difference, are recipes for events, explain effects, and are evidence [Psillos]
4400 Theories of causation are based either on regularity, or on intrinsic relations of properties [Psillos]
4403 We can't base our account of causation on explanation, because it is the wrong way round [Psillos]
17307 Nowadays causation is usually understood in terms of equations and variable ranges [Schaffer,J]
10359 In causation there are three problems of relata, and three metaphysical problems [Schaffer,J]
10372 Causation may not be transitive; the last event may follow from the first, but not be caused by it [Schaffer,J]
10374 There are at least ten theories about causal connections [Schaffer,J]
23782 Causation is the exercise of powers [Williams,NE]
23785 Causation needs to explain stasis, as well as change [Williams,NE]
14566 Causation by absence is not real causation, but part of our explanatory practices [Mumford/Anjum]
14577 Causation may not be transitive. Does a fire cause itself to be extinguished by the sprinklers? [Mumford/Anjum]
23011 Modern accounts of causation involve either processes or counterfactuals [Baron/Miller]