Platitudes and Counterexamples

Peter Menzies*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

    2 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    This article explains the conception of causation as a natural relation in more detail. It outlines some of the features of our use of the causal concept that do not fit with the idea of causation as a natural relation between events. It then outlines the correct explanation of these features, replacing the metaphysical conception of causation with a conception of causation in terms of a contrastive difference-making relation, where the contrasts are determined contextually on the basis of what are often normative considerations.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationThe Oxford Handbook of Causation
    PublisherOxford University Press
    Pages341-367
    Number of pages27
    ISBN (Electronic)9780191577246
    ISBN (Print)9780199279739
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2 Jan 2010

    Keywords

    • Causal concept
    • Conception of causation
    • Counterexamples
    • Natural relation
    • Normative considerations
    • Platitudes

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