more from Stathis Psillos

Single Idea 4400

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 1. Causation]

Full Idea

While Humeans base their theories on the intuition of regularity, their opponents base theirs on the intuition that there is an intrinsic relation between the properties of two particular things involved (like a hammer and a vase).

Gist of Idea

Theories of causation are based either on regularity, or on intrinsic relations of properties

Source

Stathis Psillos (Causation and Explanation [2002], Intro)

Book Reference

Psillos,Stathis: 'Causation and Explanation' [Acumen 2002], p.7


A Reaction

I favour the intrinsic relation of properties view, but this leaves the question of whether we can explain a relation, apart from observing the regularities associated with the properties.