Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Counterfactual theories of causation (Lewis, 1973) requir... — Carmelics
    Home
    HistoryEditSee Inverse

    Part of a larger discussion

    Challenges→Both tossing the coin and preventing the toss may backwardly cause Houdini's earlier behavior

    Counterfactual theories of causation (Lewis, 1973) require asymmetric dependence; symmetric backward causation from contradictory events collapses this asymmetry.

    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Lewis's counterfactual account requires causal direction via asymmetric dependence: effects depend on causes, not vice versa.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Backward causation from contradictory events would make both directions equally dependence-preserving, eliminating directional asymmetry.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Without asymmetric dependence, we lose the conceptual basis for distinguishing cause from effect, undermining causal explanation itself.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Asymmetric dependence might derive from temporal/entropic asymmetry rather than counterfactual structure, making causation more fundamental.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Contradictory events cannot both occur, so backward causation from them is metaphysically incoherent—not a genuine threat to the theory.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Counterfactual theories can restrict causal chains to logically possible scenarios, preserving asymmetry without excluding backward causation entirely.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Sign in or register to share your perspective on this statement.

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.

    Connections

    2 topics

    Causation1 linkedModality & Possibility1 linked

    Related

    Asymmetric dependence might derive from temporal/entropic asymmetry rather than ...Backward causation from contradictory events would make both directions equally ...Both tossing the coin and preventing the toss may backwardly cause Houdini's ear...Contradictory events cannot both occur, so backward causation from them is metap...
    +3 moreShow less
    Counterfactual theories can restrict causal chains to logically possible scenari...Lewis's counterfactual account requires causal direction via asymmetric dependen...Without asymmetric dependence, we lose the conceptual basis for distinguishing c...

    Details

    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit