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Single Idea 8343

[from 'Causes and Conditions' by J.L. Mackie, in 26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 8. Particular Causation / c. Conditions of causation ]

Full Idea

Relations of necessity and sufficiency seem best suited for properties and for property-like entities such as generic states and events; their application to individual events and states is best explained as derivative from properties and generic events.

Gist of Idea

Necessity and sufficiency are best suited to properties and generic events, not individual events

Source

comment on J.L. Mackie (Causes and Conditions [1965]) by Jaegwon Kim - Causes and Events: Mackie on causation §4

Book Reference

'Causation', ed/tr. Sosa,E. /Tooley,M. [OUP 1993], p.71


A Reaction

This seems to suggest that necessity must either derive from laws, or from powers. It is certainly hard to see how you could do Mackie's assessment of necessary and sufficient components, without comparing similar events.