Single Idea 8389

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

Full Idea

The three main distinctions concerning causation are between reductionism and realism; between Humean and non-Humean states of affairs; and between states that are immediately observable and those that are not.

Gist of Idea

Causation distinctions: reductionism/realism; Humean/non-Humean states; observable/non-observable

Source

Michael Tooley (Causation and Supervenience [2003], 2)

Book Reference

'The Oxford Handbook of Metaphysics', ed/tr. Loux,M /Zimmerman,D [OUP 2005], p.387


A Reaction

I favour reductionism over realism, because I like the question 'If x is real, what is it made of?' I favour non-Humean states of affairs, because I think constant conjunction is very superficial. I presume the existence of non-observable components.