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A Critical Introduction to Causal Powers and Dispositions
Contributor(s): Groff, Ruth (Author)

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ISBN: 1472530586     ISBN-13: 9781472530585
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
OUR PRICE: $90.25  

Binding Type: Hardcover - See All Available Formats & Editions
Published: May 2025
This item may be ordered no more than 25 days prior to its publication date of May 1, 2025
Click for more in this series: Bloomsbury Critical Introductions to Contemporary Metaphysic
Additional Information
BISAC Categories:
- Philosophy | Epistemology
Series: Bloomsbury Critical Introductions to Contemporary Metaphysic
Physical Information: 224 pages
Features: Bibliography, Dust Cover
 
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
Publisher Description:

A Critical Introduction to Causation and Causal Powers responds to a groundswell of interest in the topic of causal powers in contemporary metaphysics, presenting a fresh systematic overview of the realist literature, debates and arguments.

Introducing the topic via the lens of a contrast between passivism and anti-passivism, the contrast is established in the opening historical overview, plotting the course from Aristotle to early modern rationalism, through to Hume, Reid, Kant and Mill. As well as covering contemporary and 20th century neo-Humean accounts, this introduction includes a review of foundational work on causal powers and dispositional properties in the 1970s, taking care to include both a descriptive and an analytic component. Exploring contemporary anti-passivist thinking about causation, it covers leading theories of causation and provides powers-based approaches to matters such as laws, essences, necessitation, determinism, pandispositionalism, transitivity and induction. The ascription of causal powers to different kinds of potential causal bearer is also addressed: individual agents, sociological phenomena; abstractions and absences.

Offering a balanced approach to this key metaphysical topic, A Critical Introduction to Causation and Causal Powers not only introduces debates amongst anti-passivists, but explains throughout how the same issues are handled by passivists. With study questions and references for further reading at the end of each chapter, this is an accessible, up-to-date overview designed for students and researchers working in metaphysics today.

 
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