Causation: A Realist Approach

This book critiques traditional reductionist views on causation and laws of nature, advocating for a realist perspective that explains causal relationships through theoretical relations and relative frequencies, addressing key objections to reductionism.

In Causation: A Realist Approach, the author critiques traditional empiricist perspectives on causation and the laws of nature, which have typically adopted a reductionist framework. This reductionist view posits that a comprehensive understanding of non-causal properties and relationships among particulars can determine the laws of nature and causal connections. The author argues that this approach is fundamentally flawed and that it is time for empiricists to move away from such reductionist traditions.

The book aims to present and defend a realist perspective on causation and natural laws. The author contends that causation should be understood in terms of theoretical relations that explain and underlie observed frequencies. By adopting this framework, the author believes that it is possible to address the significant objections raised against reductionist accounts while keeping causal relationships accessible from an epistemological standpoint.

Ultimately, Causation: A Realist Approach advocates for a shift in how we conceptualize causation and laws of nature. By moving beyond reductionism, the author seeks to provide a more robust understanding of these concepts, one that acknowledges the complexity of causal relations and their implications for our understanding of the natural world. This book serves as a call to rethink established theories and encourages a deeper exploration of the underlying principles governing causation.