Causes and Explanations

Possibility matrices

“…The framework I use in understanding explanations which are not reconciled to the covering law theory is a development of such a model-theoretic approach. I call this development the "substantial cause theory" of explanation (23) (25). Its leading idea is that the weight of supporting the soundness of certain explanations falls on the task of identification.…”

“…Indeed, the causal conclusion depends on a derived dispositional of the electrical circuit; the circuit is switch-illuminable. Substantial cause theory interprets explained causal connections as depending upon derived dispositionals (25). There are two distinct uses of "if-then'' in B above.…”

“…MY PURPOSE is to develop methods for formalizing a certain class of scientific explanations, explanations which do not fit the covering law model. The current controversy-(l4), (23), (25), (33), (38), (41), (471, (511, (53L (6% (6% (77h (831, (841, (861, (871, (901, (93h (9% (1 00)-indicates that though insight is available on general lines of approach, the problem of detailed and correct formalization is not solved. There are two sources of difficulty: ( I ) it is not clear what a completely developed injormal explication of such locutions would exhibit, and (2) available formal theories, when applied in obvious (or less than obvious) ways, lead to counter-intuitive consequences.…”