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Single Idea 4306

[from 'The Rationalists' by John Cottingham, in 26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 9. General Causation / d. Causal necessity ]

Full Idea

The rationalist view of causation takes it that to make effects intelligible, it must be shown that they are in principle deducible from their causes.

Gist of Idea

For rationalists, it is necessary that effects be deducible from their causes

Source

John Cottingham (The Rationalists [1988], p.92)

Book Reference

Cottingham,John: 'The Rationalists' [OUP 1988], p.92


A Reaction

This has intuitive appeal, but deduction is only possible with further premises, such as the laws of physics. The effects of human behaviour look a bit tricky, even if we cause them.