Causation

Question 1

Causation

Answer 1

Form of logic. Implies correlation between A + B; Implies chronology - A before B and it strongly suggests no competing cause. There are two types of causal event.

1. Correlation and
2. Co-Incidence

Premises give us either correlation or co-incidence
Either will be a competing explanation, Third common cause or no relationship.

Question 2

Correlation

Answer 2

Two things that happen together.

Empirically observed co-variance.
Empirically observed - data; tests; trials; what out see out in the world.
Co-variance - change that happens together.
When there are more than a few instances of phenomenon co-occurring, it ceases to be a coincidence and becomes a correlation. (It’s unclear how many instances that it takes, but it happens together a lot.)
1. A causes B
2. B causes A
3. C causes both A and B
4. No relationship

Question 3

Co-Incidence

Answer 3

Few instances (one or two) of a phenomenon co-occurring. They happen together. But co-incidence doesn’t imply correlation.

Question 4

Causation

Answer 4

Will either strengthen or weaken.