Ideas from 'Causation and the Manifestation of Powers' by Alexander Bird [2010], by Theme Structure

[found in 'The Metaphysics of Powers' (ed/tr Marmodoro,Anna) [OUP 2013,978-0-415-83442-1]].

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15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 9. Perceiving Causation
Causation seems to be an innate concept (or acquired very early)
                        Full Idea: There is evidence that the concept of causation is innate, or that we are primed to acquire it very early in life, within months at most.
                        From: Alexander Bird (Causation and the Manifestation of Powers [2010], p.167)
                        A reaction: Bird doesn't give any references. This is important for our understanding of induction. Creatures seem to learn from a single instance, rather than waiting for habit to be ingrained by many instances. They must infer a cause.
26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 2. Types of cause
The dispositional account explains causation, as stimulation and manifestation of dispositions
                        Full Idea: The analysis of causation in terms of dispositions provides no conceptual reduction, but it does provide insight into the metaphysics of causation. We then know what causation is - it is the stimulation and manifestation of a disposition.
                        From: Alexander Bird (Causation and the Manifestation of Powers [2010], p.167)
                        A reaction: I would say that it offers the essence of causation, by giving a basic explanation of it. See Mumford/Lill Anjum on this.
26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 9. General Causation / c. Counterfactual causation
The counterfactual approach makes no distinction between cause and pre-condition
                        Full Idea: The counterfactual approach makes no distinction between cause and condition, ...but when the smoke sets off the fire alarm, the smoke is the cause, whereas the presence of the alarm is just the condition.
                        From: Alexander Bird (Causation and the Manifestation of Powers [2010], p.162)
                        A reaction: Bird defends the idea that causes are what stimulate dispositions to act.