Scholarlink

<p>How do we best measure degrees of causal contribution? Dependence theorists argue that causal strength is determined by the difference it makes, but this approach yields counterintuitive results in cases of overdetermination and pre-emption. Production theorists propose measuring an event’s causal contribution by the number of sets of actual events sufficient for the effect where the cause is necessary, yet they face challenges in pre-emption and switching cases. I propose an account that combines dependence and minimal sufficiency theories, avoiding these counterintuitive implications. This account states that the causal contribution of <i>C</i> to <i>E</i> is a function of the difference <i>C</i> makes to <i>E</i>’s security (a dependency function), provided that <i>C</i> is causally connected to <i>E</i> (a production requirement). If <i>C</i> is not causally connected to <i>E</i>, its contribution is zero. Additionally, it remains unclear whether the degree of causal contribution depends on proximity to necessity or sufficiency. These are the necessity and sufficiency criteria for causal contributions. The proposed function can be adjusted to capture either criterion, using one formula for the sufficiency view and another for the necessity view.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Estimating degrees of causal contribution

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月11日

查看全文
  • Mattias Gunnemyr

摘要

How do we best measure degrees of causal contribution? Dependence theorists argue that causal strength is determined by the difference it makes, but this approach yields counterintuitive results in cases of overdetermination and pre-emption. Production theorists propose measuring an event’s causal contribution by the number of sets of actual events sufficient for the effect where the cause is necessary, yet they face challenges in pre-emption and switching cases. I propose an account that combines dependence and minimal sufficiency theories, avoiding these counterintuitive implications. This account states that the causal contribution of C to E is a function of the difference C makes to E’s security (a dependency function), provided that C is causally connected to E (a production requirement). If C is not causally connected to E, its contribution is zero. Additionally, it remains unclear whether the degree of causal contribution depends on proximity to necessity or sufficiency. These are the necessity and sufficiency criteria for causal contributions. The proposed function can be adjusted to capture either criterion, using one formula for the sufficiency view and another for the necessity view.