Hume's Theory of CausationCausation has always been a central topic in the history of philosophy. Many theories causation have been advanced, but not one has approached anything like general acceptance. Yet the concept of causation is prevalent in many areas of contemporary philosophy: there are the causal theories of language, of action, of personal identity, of knowledge, of perception, of scientific explanation, and of reference. If causation is doing all this philosophical work, it seems essential to strive for an intelligible account of what a 'cause' actually is. One obvious place to start is Hume's analysis of causation, which is generally thought to be the most significant and influential single contribution to the topic. But despite the widely recognized importance of his analysis, many opposing interpretations surround his causal theory. There are some commentators who believe that his theory is a version of realism and many others who argue that it is a version of anti-realism. There is considerable textual evidence for, and also against, each interpretation. Angela Coventry develops a more conciliatory approach. She argues that Hume's causal theory is best understood as 'quasi-realist' - an intermediate position between realism and anti-realism. This makes sense of some seemingly contradictory passages in Hume's work and also provides an answer to a major objection which is commonly thought to devastate his causal theory. Coventry then goes on to outline a general, topic-independent, conception of quasi-realism as distinct from realistm and anti-realism that allows it to stand as a consistent third alternative. |
Contents
| 1 | |
| 7 | |
An Intermediate Alternative | 42 |
4 Humes Theory of Causation | 77 |
5 The Intermediate Interpretation Applied to Humes Theory of Causation | 105 |
| 153 | |
| 163 | |
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A. J. Ayer aesthetic anti-realist area of discourse argues argument attitudes belief Blackburn brother to lie causal judgements causal powers causal realism causal relations causal statements cause and effect claims connection between cause constructivism correct correspondence David Hume debate between realism Dummett EMPL Enquiry error theory essay ethics example existence experience explain express expressivist external objects feeling fictionalism fictionalist Frege-Geach problem genuine Hume Hume's theory Hume’s idea of power ideal observer ideal observer theory impression independent instance intermediate position little brother lying is wrong mathematical ments metaphysical mind mind-independent moral facts moral realism moral statements necessary connection Newton’s one’s particular Philosophy of Science principle projectivism projectivist propositions quasi-realism quasi-realist realism and anti-realism realist-sounding reason Reid and Richman rules scientific realism scientific theories sense sentiments Simon Blackburn theory of causation things thought tion Treatise true or false truth or falsity truth-value