Article contents
Explanation, Causality, and Counterfactuals
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 April 2022
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to develop an adequate version of the D-N theory of explanation for particular events and to show how the resulting D-N model can be used as a tool in articulating a regularity theory of causation and an analysis of the truth conditions for counterfactual conditionals. Starting with a basic model that is largely the product of other workers in this field, two new restrictions are formulated in order to construct a version of D-N explanation that does not yield the counterintuitive results that have plagued all earlier versions. An additional condition is then developed that is indispensable for utilizing the D-N model as a tool in formulating a regularity theory of causation. Finally, it is shown how a suitable model of potential D-N explanation facilitates the formulation of a theory of counterfactual conditionals.
- Type
- Research Article
- Information
- Copyright
- Copyright © 1985 by the Philosophy of Science Association
References
REFERENCES
- 6
- Cited by