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Single Idea 8390

[filed under theme 26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 8. Particular Causation / a. Observation of causation ]

Full Idea

The arguments in favour of causation being observable appeal especially to the impression of pressure upon one's body, and to one's introspective awareness of willing, together with the perception of the event which one willed.

Gist of Idea

Causation is directly observable in pressure on one's body, and in willed action

Source

Michael Tooley (Causation and Supervenience [2003], 3)

Book Ref

'The Oxford Handbook of Metaphysics', ed/tr. Loux,M /Zimmerman,D [OUP 2005], p.392


A Reaction

[He cites Evan Fagels] Anscombe also cites words which have causality built into their meaning. This would approach would give priority to mental causation, and would need to demonstrate that similar things happen out in the world.


The 11 ideas with the same theme [extent of the observability of a cause]:

We derive the popular belief in cause and effect from our belief that our free will causes things [Nietzsche]
We see what is in common between causes to assign names to them, not to perceive them [Ducasse]
The very notion of a cause depends on agency and action [Wright,GHv]
We give regularities a causal character by subjecting them to experiment [Wright,GHv]
Some says mental causation is distinct because we can recognise single occurrences [Mackie]
All observable causes are merely epiphenomena [Kim]
Causation always involves particular productive things [Harré/Madden]
Causation is directly observable in pressure on one's body, and in willed action [Tooley]
We should focus on actual causings, rather than on laws and causal sequences [Heil]
If two different causes are possible in one set of circumstances, causation is primitive [Schaffer,J]
If causation is primitive, it can be experienced in ourselves, or inferred as best explanation [Schaffer,J]