Hume’s many problems with causation
Hume’s many problems with causation
David Hume denied the reality and knowability of causation due to numerous conceptual confusions and much fallacious thinking; and unfortunately, many philosophe...
Origins and evolution of the idea of causality
Origins and evolution of the idea of causality
I believe the origins and evolution of the idea of causality to be as follows. This may be viewed as a hypothesis to be confirmed (in whole or in part...
Volition and influence
Volition and influence
Volition, or freewill, is causality by an unmoved mover[1], meaning a self-moving entity, something moving literally by itself, without being immediately forced or indirectly...
The logical possibility of natural spontaneity
The logical possibility of natural spontaneity
As it turns out, natural spontaneity is advocated by modern physicists in the field of quantum mechanics. So, the theoretical allowance for it by aeti...
The four determinations of causation
The four determinations of causation
Causation, which is deterministic causality, involves four generic determinations, two strong and two weak[1]:
Complete causation (symbol m): If C, then E; if n...
The four main concepts of causality
The four main concepts of causality
We all frequently engage in causal thinking, looking for or claiming to have found the causes or effects of something, whether for personal purposes or sundry sc...
Selfhood is the basis of morality and society
Selfhood is the basis of morality and society.
In my book Meditations (2006), I argued that the self must be assumed to be a unity persisting during the whole life of an organism. Those reflections...
Three principles for biologists to ponder.
Three principles for biologists to ponder.
Allow me, as a result of the above reflections, to formulate a number of basic principles for the advancement of the science of biology, to help it evolve...
A biological science that acknowledges soul
A biological science that acknowledges soul.
Let us now consider how the idea of ‘soul’ might be fitted in the narrative proposed by modern evolutionary biology. This science teaches us that senso...
A soul is needed for cognition
A soul is needed for cognition.
I would like now to draw attention to another contradiction in today’s widespread belief system.
Firstly, most of today’s biologists, if pressed, would deny that hu...
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Stephen Sydney FineOrigins and evolution of the idea of causalityApril 6, 2025