Single Idea 8429

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 9. General Causation / c. Counterfactual causation]

Full Idea

Counterfactuals can express 'analytical' dependency, or the fact that one event is part of another, or an action done by doing another, or (most interestingly) an event can determine another without causally determining it.

Gist of Idea

Counterfactuals can express four other relations between events, apart from causation

Source

Jaegwon Kim (Causes and Counterfactuals [1973], p.205)

Book Reference

'Causation', ed/tr. Sosa,E. /Tooley,M. [OUP 1993], p.205


A Reaction

[Kim gives example of each case] Counterfactuals can even express a relation that involves no dependency. Or they might just involve redescription, as in 'If Scott were still alive, then the author of "Waverley" would be too'.