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<p>The techniques of causal inference are widely used throughout the non-experimental sciences to derive causal conclusions from probabilistic premises. This poses a philosophical question. What in the nature of causation accounts for the possibility of causal inference? In this paper I shall seek to answer this question. I shall develop a metaphysical theory of causation designed to explain the success of causal inference techniques. I shall then indicate how this theory also accounts naturally for single-case causation and the relation between causation and rational action. Finally, I shall compare the resulting picture with “interventionist” approaches to causation.</p>

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Causal inference and the metaphysics of causation

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月7日

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  • David Papineau

摘要

The techniques of causal inference are widely used throughout the non-experimental sciences to derive causal conclusions from probabilistic premises. This poses a philosophical question. What in the nature of causation accounts for the possibility of causal inference? In this paper I shall seek to answer this question. I shall develop a metaphysical theory of causation designed to explain the success of causal inference techniques. I shall then indicate how this theory also accounts naturally for single-case causation and the relation between causation and rational action. Finally, I shall compare the resulting picture with “interventionist” approaches to causation.