Casting a Shadow on Lewis’s Theory of Causation
Casting a Shadow on Lewis’s Theory of Causation
Author(s): Erdinç SayanSubject(s): Philosophy
Published by: Filozofický ústav SAV
Keywords: Absence causation; counterfactual theory of causation; influence theory of causation; overdetermination; preemptive prevention; trumping pre-emption;
Summary/Abstract: First, I present a puzzle involving two opaque objects and a shadow cast on the ground. After I offer a solution to this puzzle by identifying which of the objects is causally responsible for the shadow, I argue that this case poses a counterexample to David Lewis’s latest counterfactual account of causation, known as his influence theory. Along the way, I discuss preemption, overdetermination, absence causation, and trumping preemption.
Journal: Organon F
- Issue Year: 26/2019
- Issue No: 2
- Page Range: 287-297
- Page Count: 11
- Language: English