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Causal Facts

Persson, Johannes LU orcid (1997) In Library of Theoria 22.
Abstract
The thesis addresses the nature of causation. It is argued that causation exists and is as local as its causes and effects. As a consequence, the position advocated is contrary to the as yet prevailing view that no 'causal tie' between cause and effect exists. Moreover, it is suggested that this tie can be perceived. The essay attempts to elucidate the nature of causes, effects, and causal mechanisms. It is argued that they are facts rather than particulars or universals. Furthermore it is suggested that these facts can be conceived of as tropes. Finally, in the light of this thesis a few traditional issues are discussed: what is the relation between causation and explanation? How should we conceive of causal laws? Does the idea of... (More)
The thesis addresses the nature of causation. It is argued that causation exists and is as local as its causes and effects. As a consequence, the position advocated is contrary to the as yet prevailing view that no 'causal tie' between cause and effect exists. Moreover, it is suggested that this tie can be perceived. The essay attempts to elucidate the nature of causes, effects, and causal mechanisms. It is argued that they are facts rather than particulars or universals. Furthermore it is suggested that these facts can be conceived of as tropes. Finally, in the light of this thesis a few traditional issues are discussed: what is the relation between causation and explanation? How should we conceive of causal laws? Does the idea of mechanisms with different degrees of reliability further our understanding of the determinism/indeterminism issue? (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
Popular Abstract in Swedish

Vad är ett orsakssamband? Och vad är en orsak? Författaren hävdar att orsakssamband är lika verkliga och lokala som dess orsaker och effekter. Denna position är diametralt motsatt synen att orsakssamband i den mån de alls kan sägas finnas är instanser av lagbundenheter; en syn som (med viss orätt) tillskrivs David Hume, och som sedan dennes Treatise (1739) under långa tider i flera vetenskaper präglat synen på orsakssambandens natur.
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
supervisor
opponent
  • Sintonen, Matti, Helsingfors
organization
publishing date
type
Thesis
publication status
published
subject
keywords
causation, trope, disposition, causal explanation, causal law, Philosophical logic, counterfactual conditional, causal mechanism, Teoretisk filosofi, logik
in
Library of Theoria
volume
22
pages
224 pages
publisher
Thales
defense location
Carolinasalen, Kungshuset, Lundagård.
defense date
1997-05-17 10:00:00
external identifiers
  • other:ISRN: LUHFDA/HFFT-97/1008-SE
ISSN
0459-2603
ISBN
91-87172-84-4
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
10abff3c-a0ff-45c1-8e1b-4f2fbfccf5c3 (old id 18181)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 17:13:04
date last changed
2019-05-21 14:59:49
@phdthesis{10abff3c-a0ff-45c1-8e1b-4f2fbfccf5c3,
  abstract     = {{The thesis addresses the nature of causation. It is argued that causation exists and is as local as its causes and effects. As a consequence, the position advocated is contrary to the as yet prevailing view that no 'causal tie' between cause and effect exists. Moreover, it is suggested that this tie can be perceived. The essay attempts to elucidate the nature of causes, effects, and causal mechanisms. It is argued that they are facts rather than particulars or universals. Furthermore it is suggested that these facts can be conceived of as tropes. Finally, in the light of this thesis a few traditional issues are discussed: what is the relation between causation and explanation? How should we conceive of causal laws? Does the idea of mechanisms with different degrees of reliability further our understanding of the determinism/indeterminism issue?}},
  author       = {{Persson, Johannes}},
  isbn         = {{91-87172-84-4}},
  issn         = {{0459-2603}},
  keywords     = {{causation; trope; disposition; causal explanation; causal law; Philosophical logic; counterfactual conditional; causal mechanism; Teoretisk filosofi; logik}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Thales}},
  school       = {{Lund University}},
  series       = {{Library of Theoria}},
  title        = {{Causal Facts}},
  volume       = {{22}},
  year         = {{1997}},
}