week 1 Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is the primary difference between causality and causation?
Causality is the framework we use to understand cause and effect, while causation is the actual event.
What does the term “causation” refer to?
The actual relationship where one event causes another.
Which of the following is required for causation?
The cause must occur before the effect.
What is a key characteristic of “causality” that makes it different from causation?
Causality helps us understand the necessary conditions for one event to affect another.
What is a cause in the metaphysical sense?
A reason for why something happens or changes.
Which of the following tools are commonly used to model causation?
Structural equations.
According to epistemology, how do we identify a cause?
By observing the effect and reasoning backwards.
What is the “temporal priority” criterion for identifying a cause?
The cause must come before the effect in time.
Which of the following is NOT a necessary condition for a cause?
The cause and effect must always be observable.
What role do causal models play in understanding cause-and-effect relationships?
They are tools used to map and test the relationships between variables.
What is the “New Riddle of Induction” proposed by Nelson Goodman?
It challenges whether we can use past observations to justify future predictions.
In Goodman’s riddle, what do the terms “grue” and “bleen” represent?
Imaginary terms to challenge the validity of generalizations.
According to Goodman, why is “green” a more reliable term than “grue”?
“Green” has been used for a longer time, making it more entrenched in predictive reasoning.
How do explanation and prediction work according to Hempel and Oppenheim?
Explanation and prediction are closely related, both relying on laws and facts.
Why is the ability to predict considered an important feature of scientific theories, according to Hempel and Oppenheim?
It reduces the number of assumptions needed to explain or predict events.
