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
    Davidson's principle of the nomological character of caus... — Carmelics
    Home
    HistoryEditSee Inverse

    Part of a larger discussion

    Supports→Cartesian dualism and other forms of dualism are ruled out.

    Davidson's principle of the nomological character of causality requires causal relations to be backed by strict physical laws, which dualist mental substances cannot satisfy.

    ?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.Strict physical laws are deterministic and universal; mental substances lack such lawlike regularities across contexts.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If mental causation occurred, it would require psychophysical laws connecting non-physical to physical properties.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.We have no empirical evidence for psychophysical laws; physics appears causally closed without mental intervention.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Davidson himself endorsed non-strict laws and multiple realizability, weakening the nomological closure argument.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Causation may not require strict laws; probabilistic, ceteris paribus, or emergent causal relations are philosophically legitimate.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Mental-to-physical causation could operate through identity or constitution without violating physical closure.
      ?

      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

    Consciousness & Mind1 linkedModality & Possibility1 linked

    Related

    Cartesian dualism and other forms of dualism are ruled out.Causation may not require strict laws; probabilistic, ceteris paribus, or emerge...Davidson himself endorsed non-strict laws and multiple realizability, weakening ...If mental causation occurred, it would require psychophysical laws connecting no...
    +3 moreShow less
    Mental-to-physical causation could operate through identity or constitution with...Strict physical laws are deterministic and universal; mental substances lack suc...We have no empirical evidence for psychophysical laws; physics appears causally ...

    Details

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