Full Idea
A counterexample to the counterfactual approach is that perhaps the effect would have occurred despite the absence of the cause since another cause would have stepped in to bring it about.
Gist of Idea
The counterfactual is ruined if some other cause steps in when the antecedent fails
Source
Tim Maudlin (The Metaphysics within Physics [2007], 5)
Book Reference
Maudlin,Tim: 'The Metaphysics within Physics' [OUP 2007], p.143
A Reaction
…Hence you cannot say 'if C had not occurred, E would definitely not have occurred'. You have to add 'ceteris paribus', which ruins the neatness of the theory.
Related Idea
Idea 16267 If we know the cause of an event, we seem to assent to the counterfactual [Maudlin]