Full Idea
According to contemporary process theories of causation it consists of the transference of a 'mark', which is always some conserved quantity. Candidates (from science) are mass, energy, momentum and electric charge.
Gist of Idea
The main process theory of causation says it is transference of mass, energy, momentum or charge
Source
Baron,S/Miller,K (Intro to the Philosophy of Time [2019], 6.2.2)
Book Reference
Baron,S/Miller,K: 'Introduction to the Philosophy of Time' [Polity 2019], p.150
A Reaction
Given my commitment to physicalism, this is my preferred theory of causation. It began with the suggestion of energy-transfer, but has broadened into the present idea. It is an updated version of the Newton view, as the meeting of objects.
Related Ideas
Idea 23011 Modern accounts of causation involve either processes or counterfactuals [Baron/Miller]
Idea 8326 Science has shown that causal relations are just transfers of energy or momentum [Fair, by Sosa/Tooley]
Idea 23012 Newtonian causation is changes of motion resulting from collisions [Newton, by Baron/Miller]