Single Idea 4787

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 4. Naturalised causation]

Full Idea

Dowe argues that a 'causal process' is a world line of an object with a conserved quantity (such as mass, energy, momentum, charge), and a 'causal interaction' is an exchange between two such objects.

Gist of Idea

Causation interaction is an exchange of conserved quantities, such as mass, energy or charge

Source

report of Phil Dowe (Physical Causation [2000]) by Stathis Psillos - Causation and Explanation §4.4

Book Reference

Psillos,Stathis: 'Causation and Explanation' [Acumen 2002], p.121


A Reaction

This looks very promising. Nice distinction between causal process and causal interaction. 'Conserved quantities' is better physics than just 'energy'. We can hand causation over to the scientist?