Lecture 10 Casual Reasoning

Question 0

Define Causal Generalisations.

Answer 0

Causal generalisations are general conditions (premises) that assert a causal relationship between events (conclusions, events, the thing to be explained).

Question 1

Define Causal Reasoning

Answer 1

We look to explain the conclusion by looking for premises that are causal generalisations.

So we have the conclusion, what could have caused this, by using generalisations.

Question 2

What is the standard form of a generalisation.

Answer 2

For any X,

if X is an F

then X is a G.

i.e. (this is a definitional connection) for any shape, if the shape is a square then the shape is a rectangle.

Question 3

Given any causal generalisation

For any x,

if x is an F

then x is a G

what can we say:

Answer 3

X’s having feature F is a causally sufficient condition for its having feature G

X’s having feature G is a causally necessary condition for its having feature F.

Question 4

What is the sufficient condition test

Answer 4

Any candidate that is present when G is absent is eliminated as a possible sufficient condition of G

Question 5

What is the necessary condition test

Answer 5

Any candidate that is absent when G is present is eliminated as a possible necessary condition of G

Question 6

How would you describe Biconditionals

Answer 6

Each condition is necessary (required). They are necessary and sufficient conditions. Both must be present.

X is G

iff and only if it is F.

Question 7

What are equivalent statements for:

If A then B

Answer 7

If A then B

⇒ A only if B

⇒ Not A unless B

⇒ if not B then not A

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THEY ALL AMOUNT TO CLAIMING:

Being a square is sufficient for being a rectangle. A is sufficient for B

and

Being a rectangle is necessary for being a square. B is necessary for A.