Causal Theory (causal + theory)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Interpersonal Interactions and the Bounds of Agency

DIALECTICA, Issue 2 2007
Jesús H. Aguilar
According to the Causal Theory of Action, actions are causally produced events and causal transitivity seems to apply to all such events. However, strong intuitions support the idea that actions cannot be transitively caused. This is a tension that has plagued this theory's effort to account for action. In particular, it has fueled a serious objection suggesting that this theory of action seriously distorts the attribution of agency when two agents interact with each other. Based on Donald Davidson's analysis of the accordion effect and the nature of actions, I provide an answer to the problem of agential attribution. It is an answer that shows that the Causal Theory of Action can unambiguously attribute agency without resorting to a stipulation or denying that actions can be transitively caused. I then identify the sources of the problematic intuitions in the need to recognize spheres of agential influence and preserve their integrity. [source]


The Model Theoretic Argument, Indirect Realism, and the Causal Theory of Reference Objection

PACIFIC PHILOSOPHICAL QUARTERLY, Issue 2 2003
Steven L. Reynolds
This new argument is reviewed and defended. Putnam's new focus on philosophical theories of perception (instead of metaphysical realism) makes better sense of his previous responses to the objection from the causal theory of reference. It is argued that the model-theoretic argument can also be construed as an argument that holders of a causal theory of reference should adopt direct realism in the philosophy of perception. [source]


Skilled Activity and the Causal Theory of Action

PHILOSOPHY AND PHENOMENOLOGICAL RESEARCH, Issue 3 2010
RANDOLPH CLARKE
Skilled activity, such as shaving or dancing, differs in important ways from many of the stock examples that are employed by action theorists. Some critics of the causal theory of action contend that such a view founders on the problem of skilled activity. This paper examines how a causal theory can be extended to the case of skilled activity and defends the account from its critics. [source]


Prejudice and schizophrenia: a review of the ,mental illness is an illness like any other' approach

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2006
J. Read
Objective:, Many anti-stigma programmes use the ,mental illness is an illness like any other' approach. This review evaluates the effectiveness of this approach in relation to schizophrenia. Method:, The academic literature was searched, via PsycINFO and MEDLINE, to identify peer-reviewed studies addressing whether public espousal of a biogenetic paradigm has increased over time, and whether biogenetic causal beliefs and diagnostic labelling are associated with less negative attitudes. Results:, The public, internationally, continues to prefer psychosocial to biogenetic explanations and treatments for schizophrenia. Biogenetic causal theories and diagnostic labelling as ,illness', are both positively related to perceptions of dangerousness and unpredictability, and to fear and desire for social distance. Conclusion:, An evidence-based approach to reducing discrimination would seek a range of alternatives to the ,mental illness is an illness like any other' approach, based on enhanced understanding, from multi-disciplinary research, of the causes of prejudice. [source]


Evaluating complex public health interventions: theory, methods and scope of realist enquiry

JOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 6 2007
James B. Connelly MD MSc FFPH
Abstract The standard models used in the study of complex public health interventions are inadequate. They adopt a simple empiricist theoretical foundation and attempt to graft onto an essentially open social system a contrived laboratory experimentation typically in the form of a randomized, controlled trial. By understanding the ontological and epistemological claims of critical realism, it is possible to transcend the methodological inadequacy of the standard model approach. Critical realism posits a substantive causal theory, an end to fact-value dualism, and a coherent and emancipatory model of social action; all of these features amount to a systematic and compelling account of public health practice and a coherent approach to evaluation of complex public health interventions. [source]


The Content of Intentions

MIND & LANGUAGE, Issue 4 2000
Elisabeth Patherie
By distinguishing between prior intentions and intentions in action, Searle has helped solve a number of difficulties confronted by the earlier versions of the causal theory of actions. Yet this distinction also raises important new issues. In particular, once a distinction is posited between two types of intentions, one must specify what the exact nature of their respective contents is and explain how the two types of intentions are connected. I suggest that in addressing those issues we could benefit from the insights provided by recent work in the coginitive neuroscience of action. I try to show how this work can help us give a more precise characterization of the content of intentions in action and bridge the gap between prior intentions and intentions in action. [source]


The Model Theoretic Argument, Indirect Realism, and the Causal Theory of Reference Objection

PACIFIC PHILOSOPHICAL QUARTERLY, Issue 2 2003
Steven L. Reynolds
This new argument is reviewed and defended. Putnam's new focus on philosophical theories of perception (instead of metaphysical realism) makes better sense of his previous responses to the objection from the causal theory of reference. It is argued that the model-theoretic argument can also be construed as an argument that holders of a causal theory of reference should adopt direct realism in the philosophy of perception. [source]


Skilled Activity and the Causal Theory of Action

PHILOSOPHY AND PHENOMENOLOGICAL RESEARCH, Issue 3 2010
RANDOLPH CLARKE
Skilled activity, such as shaving or dancing, differs in important ways from many of the stock examples that are employed by action theorists. Some critics of the causal theory of action contend that such a view founders on the problem of skilled activity. This paper examines how a causal theory can be extended to the case of skilled activity and defends the account from its critics. [source]