Three Concepts of Actual Causation

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Abstract

I argue that we need to distinguish between three concepts of actual causation: total, path-changing, and contributing actual causation. I provide two lines of argument in support of this account. First, I address three thought experiments that have been troublesome for unified accounts of actual causation, and I show that my account provides a better explanation of corresponding causal intuitions. Second, I provide a functional argument: if we assume that a key purpose of causal concepts is to guide agency, we are better off making a distinction between three concepts of actual causation.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)77-98
Number of pages22
JournalThe British Journal for the Philosophy of Science
Volume75
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85192975290

Keywords

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