Causal Asymmetries [Paperback]

The most comprehensive account available of causal asymmetry, written by a pre-eminent philosopher of science.Causation is asymmetrical in many different ways. Causes precede effects; explanations cite causes not effects. Agents use causes to manipulate their effects; they don't use effects to manipulate their causes. Effects of a common cause are correlated; causes of a common effect are not.This book by one of the preeminent philosophers of science writing today offers the most comprehensive account available fo causal asymmetries. It is a major book for philosophers of science that will also prove insightful to economists and statisticians.Causation is asymmetrical in many different ways. Causes precede effects; explanations cite causes not effects. Agents use causes to manipulate their effects; they don't use effects to manipulate their causes. Effects of a common cause are correlated; causes of a common effect are not.This book by one of the preeminent philosophers of science writing today offers the most comprehensive account available fo causal asymmetries. It is a major book for philosophers of science that will also prove insightful to economists and statisticians.Causation is asymmetrical in many different ways. Causes precede effects; explanations cite causes not effects. Agents use causes to manipulate their effects; they don't use effects to manipulate their causes. Effects of a common cause are correlated; causes of a common effect are not. This book by one of the preeminent philosophers of science writing today offers the most comprehensive account available of causal asymmetries. It is a major book for philosophers of science that will also prove insightful to economists and statisticians.List of figures; Acknowledgements; Introduction: causation and its asymmetries; 1. Metaphysical pictures and wishes; 1*. Transfer theories; 2. Is causation a relation among events?; 3. Causation, regularities and time: Hume's theory; 4. Causation and independencl³„