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On Algebraic Causation

Lisker, Roy (1986) On Algebraic Causation. [Preprint] (Unpublished)

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      Abstract

      Definitions of Causation are shown to be specific to particular sciences. Also, the idealized notion of causation that is maintained by scientists working in a given field frequently differs from that which is used in actual practice. All interpretationsof causation used in the sciences can be shown to have an algebraic structure, which we call a "Causal Algebra": a mathematical entity embodying the notions of Possibility, Impossibility and Actuality. The algebraic approach is applied to various branches of physics, biology, geology. cosmology. At the end of the article a model for causation from the Big Bang is proposed.

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      Item Type: Preprint
      Additional Information: This paper was presented at the 11th General Relativity and Gravitation Conference in Stockholm, Sweden in August 1986.
      Keywords: Causation; Physics; Biology;Geology; Function Algebras;Cosmology; Big Bang; Modal Logic; Analytic and non-Analytic models
      Subjects: General Issues > Causation
      Depositing User: Roy Lisker
      Date Deposited: 09 Aug 2003
      Last Modified: 07 Oct 2010 11:11
      Item ID: 1293
      Public Domain: No
      URI: http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/1293

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