| Description: |
This course will explore the contemporary tradition of philosophical theorizing
about causation, beginning with the foundational suggestions of Hume and Kant and
quickly moving into the classic proposals of thinkers like John Mackie, G.E.M. Anscombe
and Donald Davidson. The bulk of the course will explore contemporary accounts of
causation including the counterfactual account of David Lewis, the necessitation
accounts of Michael Tooley and/or David Armstrong, the capacity metaphysics of Nancy
Cartwright, the manipulability account of Douglas Gasking, and, time permitting,
perhaps my own views. Course requirements include seminar participation and a paper.
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