more from Jonathan Schaffer

Single Idea 10393

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 8. Particular Causation / d. Selecting the cause]

Full Idea

The main argument against saying that there is no basis for selecting the one cause of an event is that our selections are too predictable to be without a basis.

Gist of Idea

Our selection of 'the' cause is very predictable, so must have a basis

Source

Jonathan Schaffer (The Metaphysics of Causation [2007], 2.3)

Book Reference

'Stanford Online Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Stanford University [plato.stanford.edu], p.27


A Reaction

The problem is that we CAN, if we wish, whimsically pick out any pre-condition of an event for discussion (e.g. the railways before WW1). I would say that sensitivity to nature leads us to a moderately correct selection of 'the' cause.