Ennis, Robert H (2012) Analysis and Defense of Sole Singular Causal Claims. In: [2012] Philosophy of Science Assoc. 23rd Biennial Mtg (San Diego, CA) > PSA 2012 Contributed Papers.
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Abstract
To claim that x was the cause of y (or x caused y) is 1) to assume that x was a contributing member of the group of factors that jointly brought about y, and 2) to deem x responsible for the occurrence of y. This deeming is based in part on perspectives and values, though empirical evidence is also very important. A best-explanation argument, including application to cases, is offered in defense of this analysis, which holds that claiming that something is the cause is, in part, a speech act (deeming x to be responsible). Unlike the proposed analysis, suggested alternative explanations do not account for what is reasonably said in all the cases of the selection of the cause.
| Item Type: | Conference or Workshop Item (UNSPECIFIED) |
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| Keywords: | the cause, responsibility ascription, speech act, everyday sense, values, perspectives, deeming,target of interference, necessary condition, sufficient condition, causal nexus,independent variable |
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| Subjects: | General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science |
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| Conferences and Volumes: | [2012] Philosophy of Science Assoc. 23rd Biennial Mtg (San Diego, CA) > PSA 2012 Contributed Papers |
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| Depositing User: | Dr. Robert H Ennis |
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| Date Deposited: | 18 Dec 2012 13:21 |
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| Last Modified: | 21 Dec 2012 10:24 |
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| Item ID: | 9474 |
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| URI: | http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9474 |
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