Single Idea 4399

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 1. Causation]

Full Idea

The platitudes of causation are that 1) causes make a difference (counterfactually or probabilistically), 2) causes are recipes for events, 3) causes explain their effects, and 4) causes are evidence for effects.

Gist of Idea

Causes clearly make a difference, are recipes for events, explain effects, and are evidence

Source

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

Book Reference

Psillos,Stathis: 'Causation and Explanation' [Acumen 2002], p.6


A Reaction

A nice piece of analysis which offers some problems for anyone (like Russell) who wants to analyse causation completely out of our conceptual scheme.