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Single Idea 14558

[from 'Getting Causes from Powers' by S.Mumford/R.Lill Anjum, in 26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 8. Particular Causation / b. Causal relata ]

Full Idea

When billiard balls collide they deform, and we have a process rather than a momentary collision. Causation is a matter of simultaneity, and simultaneous does not entail instantaneous.

Gist of Idea

A collision is a process, which involves simultaneous happenings, but not instantaneous ones

Source

S.Mumford/R.Lill Anjum (Getting Causes from Powers [2011], 5.3)

Book Reference

Anjum,R.J./Mumford,S.: 'Getting Causes from Powers' [OUP 2011], p.109


A Reaction

This is why they reject the idea that causal relata are abutting events meeting at timeless joints. I think they have got this bit right. It's amazing what a muddle philosophers have got into in just describing what happens in front of their eyes.