more on this theme | more from this thinker
Full Idea
Some philosophers say that a cause has its effects in virtue of its properties.
Gist of Idea
A cause has its effects in virtue of its properties
Source
Tim Crane (Causation [1995], 1.4.2)
Book Ref
'Philosophy: a Guide Through the Subject', ed/tr. Grayling,A.C. [OUP 1995], p.193
A Reaction
The trouble with this approach, I think, is that it encourages us to invent dubious properties, because every explanation of an effect will require one. Dormative properties, for example, are ascribed to sleeping pills.
8384 | The regularity theory explains a causal event by other items than the two that are involved [Crane] |
8386 | Events are picked out by descriptions, and facts by whole sentences [Crane] |
8387 | A cause has its effects in virtue of its properties [Crane] |