Causality and dispersion: A reply to John Norton

British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 60 (3):487 - 495 (2009)
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Abstract

Classical dispersion relations are derived from a time-asymmetric constraint. I argue that the standard causal interpretation of this constraint plays a scientifically legitimate role in dispersion theory, and hence provides a counterexample to the causal skepticism advanced by John Norton and others. Norton ([2009]) argues that the causal interpretation of the time-asymmetric constraint is an empty honorific and that the constraint can be motivated by purely non-causal considerations. In this paper I respond to Norton's criticisms and argue that Norton's skepticism derives its force partly by holding causal principles to a standard too high to be met by other scientifically legitimate constraints

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Mathias Frisch
Universität Hannover

Citations of this work

Causation and Time Reversal.Matt Farr - 2020 - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 71 (1):177-204.
Is there an independent principle of causality in physics.John D. Norton - 2009 - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 60 (3):475-486.
No place for causes? Causal skepticism in physics.Mathias Frisch - 2012 - European Journal for Philosophy of Science 2 (3):313-336.

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References found in this work

Causality: Models, Reasoning and Inference.Judea Pearl - 2000 - New York: Cambridge University Press.
Causality.Judea Pearl - 2000 - New York: Cambridge University Press.
Causality: Models, Reasoning and Inference.Judea Pearl - 2000 - Tijdschrift Voor Filosofie 64 (1):201-202.
Causation as folk science.John Norton - 2003 - Philosophers' Imprint 3:1-22.

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