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A physical critique of physical causation

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Abstract

The conserved quantities theory of causation (CQTC) attempts to use physics as the basis for an account of causation. However, a closer examination of the physics involved in CQTC reveals several critical failures. Some of the conserved quantities in physics cannot be used to distinguish causal interactions. Other conserved quantities cannot always be the properties of fields or particles. Finally, CQCT does not account for causal interactions that are static.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Philosophy, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, C3500, Austin, TX, 78712, United States

    Tracy Lupher

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  1. Tracy Lupher
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Correspondence to Tracy Lupher.

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I would like to thank Fred Kronz, Cory Juhl, Joshua Dever, and two anonymous referees for their many helpful suggestions and comments.

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Lupher, T. A physical critique of physical causation. Synthese 167, 67–80 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-007-9289-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-007-9289-z

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