Single Idea 19068

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 1. Causation]

Full Idea

Like Aristotle, the reason we are really interested in causation is because we want to be able to explain change.

Gist of Idea

Causation interests us because we want to explain change

Source

Stephen Mumford (Contemporary Efficient Causation: Aristotelian themes [2014], 8)

Book Reference

Schmaltz,Tad M.: 'Efficient Causation: a history' [OUP 2014], p.335


A Reaction

This pinpoints a very important and simple idea. It raises the question (among others) of whether we have just invented this thing called 'causation', because no explanation of change was visible. Hume certainly couldn't see any explanation.