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Single Idea 2364

[filed under theme 26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 9. General Causation / a. Constant conjunction ]

Full Idea

In knowing the meaning of 'causing', men can only observe and remember what they have seen to precede the like effect at some other time, without seeing between the antecedent and subsequent event any dependence or connexion at all.

Gist of Idea

Causation is only observation of similar events following each other, with nothing visible in between

Source

Thomas Hobbes (Leviathan [1651], 1.12)

Book Ref

Hobbes,Thomas: 'Leviathan', ed/tr. Macpherson,C.B. [Penguin 1981], p.171


The 24 ideas with the same theme [causation as a regular link between event-types]:

Causation is only observation of similar events following each other, with nothing visible in between [Hobbes]
We discover natural behaviour by observing settled laws of nature, not necessary connections [Berkeley]
Hume says we can only know constant conjunctions, not that that's what causation IS [Hume, by Strawson,G]
No causes can be known a priori, but only from experience of constant conjunctions [Hume]
In both of Hume's definitions, causation is extrinsic to the sequence of events [Psillos on Hume]
Hume's definition of cause as constantly joined thoughts can't cover undiscovered laws [Ayer on Hume]
A cause is either similar events following one another, or an experience always suggesting a second experience [Hume]
It is only when two species of thing are constantly conjoined that we can infer one from the other [Hume]
Causation is just invariance, as long as it is described in general terms [Quine on Hume]
If impressions, memories and ideas only differ in vivacity, nothing says it is memory, or repetition [Whitehead on Hume]
Day and night are constantly conjoined, but they don't cause one another [Reid, by Crane]
We all know that mere priority or constant conjunction do not have to imply causation [Reid]
Appearances give rules of what usually happens, but cause involves necessity [Kant]
Causation is just invariability of succession between every natural fact and a preceding fact [Mill]
Striking a match causes its igniting, even if it sometimes doesn't work [Russell]
Recurrence is only relevant to the meaning of law, not to the meaning of cause [Ducasse]
If things turn red for an hour and then explode, we wouldn't say the redness was the cause [Shoemaker]
Regularity analyses could make c an effect of e, or an epiphenomenon, or inefficacious, or pre-empted [Lewis]
In counterfactual worlds there are laws with no instances, so laws aren't supervenient on actuality [Tooley]
The regularity theory explains a causal event by other items than the two that are involved [Crane]
A phenomenalist about objects has to be a regularity theorist about causation [Strawson,G]
Coincidence is conjunction without causation; smoking causing cancer is the reverse [Mumford/Anjum]
Cries the maid: 'You must marry me Hume!'... [Sommers,W]
Causation - we all thought we knew it/ Till Hume came along and saw through it/…. [Sommers,W]