From Reasons to Causes

A Theory of Causation
Erscheinungsjahr 2026
ISBN: 978-1-009-72683-2
Verlag: Cambridge University Press

Buch, Englisch

Why do we judge an event to be a cause? Holger Andreas and Mario Günther offer a fresh answer: causation is epochetic dependence along an inferential path where each step genuinely depends on the cause. The dependence is called epochetic because the effect must be inferable from its cause after suspending judgment on both. This theory matches everyday judgment in virtually all scenarios, including the classic problems of overdetermination, preemption, and omissions. The authors go on to solve the problems of spurious and simultaneous causation and thereby develop a reductive theory of causation in the spirit of Hume. The book will be useful for students and researchers in philosophy, computer science, cognitive science, and law. It is a must read for anyone who wants to keep up to date with research on one of philosophy's great problems.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Andreas, Holger

Günther, Mario

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction; Part I. Causes in Causal Models: 1. Active paths; 2. Classics; 3. Non-transitivity; 4. Entanglement; 5. Deviancy; Part II. The Reductive Analysis: 6. A humean analysis; 7. Spurious causation; 8. Simultaneous causation; 9. Backward causation; Conclusion and synthesis; Appendices: A. The logic of causal models; B. Belief revision theory; C. Proofs; Bibliography; Index.

Über Autor(innen)

Andreas, Holger
Holger Andreas is an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia. He is the author of Dynamic Tractable Reasoning: A Modular Approach to Belief Revision (2020).

Günther, Mario
Mario Günther is an Assistant Professor at the Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy. He is the author of numerous articles in journals like The Journal of Philosophy, Philosophical Studies, the Canadian Journal of Philosophy, the British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, and the Journal of Philosophical Logic.