Full Idea
Some philosophers say that a cause has its effects in virtue of its properties.
Gist of Idea
A cause has its effects in virtue of its properties
Source
Tim Crane (Causation [1995], 1.4.2)
Book Reference
'Philosophy: a Guide Through the Subject', ed/tr. Grayling,A.C. [OUP 1995], p.193
A Reaction
The trouble with this approach, I think, is that it encourages us to invent dubious properties, because every explanation of an effect will require one. Dormative properties, for example, are ascribed to sleeping pills.