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    Home/Original/inverse
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    Inverse View

    It is not the case that Counterfactual theories of causation (Lewis, 1973) require asymmetric dependence; symmetric backward causation from contradictory events collapses this asymmetry.

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    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
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    • 1.Asymmetric dependence might derive from temporal/entropic asymmetry rather than counterfactual structure, making causation more fundamental.
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    • 2.Contradictory events cannot both occur, so backward causation from them is metaphysically incoherent—not a genuine threat to the theory.
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    • 3.Counterfactual theories can restrict causal chains to logically possible scenarios, preserving asymmetry without excluding backward causation entirely.
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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Lewis's counterfactual account requires causal direction via asymmetric dependence: effects depend on causes, not vice versa.
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    • 2.Backward causation from contradictory events would make both directions equally dependence-preserving, eliminating directional asymmetry.
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    • 3.Without asymmetric dependence, we lose the conceptual basis for distinguishing cause from effect, undermining causal explanation itself.
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