Single Idea 4397

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 4. Regularities / a. Regularity theory]

Full Idea

A rather important objection to Humeanism has been that regularity is not sufficient for causation.

Clarification

'Humeanism' is the idea that causes are just constant conjunctions of events

Gist of Idea

Regularity doesn't seem sufficient for causation

Source

Stathis Psillos (Causation and Explanation [2002], Intro)

Book Reference

Psillos,Stathis: 'Causation and Explanation' [Acumen 2002], p.4


A Reaction

Obviously a crucial problem, but the Humean view can defend itself by introducing other constant conjunctions. We don't observe events in isolation, but as part of a pattern of regularities.