Single Idea 4789

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 2. Types of cause]

Full Idea

The three ways to divide theories on causation are: between generalist and singularist, between intrinsic and extrinsic characterisations of the causal relationship, and between reductive and non-reductive approaches.

Gist of Idea

Three divisions of causal theories: generalist/singularist, intrinsic/extrinsic, reductive/non-reductive

Source

Stathis Psillos (Causation and Explanation [2002], §4.5)

Book Reference

Psillos,Stathis: 'Causation and Explanation' [Acumen 2002], p.127


A Reaction

Okay. I vote for singularist, intrinsic and reductive. I'm guessing that that pushes me towards Salmon and Dowe's theory of the 'transfer of conserved quantities', which is certainly reductive, doesn't need regularities in the events, and seems intrinsic.