Causes and Explanations

Question 1

Cause and effect

Answer 1

relationship where one event (the cause) makes another event happen (the effect)

Question 2

the deductive-nomological model (the covering law model) for explanation

Answer 2

formal view of scientifically answering questions asking, “Why…?”

It answers the question “why did the explanandum event occur” by showing that the event resulted from the particular circumstances specified in boundary conditions (C…) in accordance with the laws (L..)

Where there are a set number of boundary conditions(C..) which abide by set laws(L..), with everything defined the explanation(E) would just “fall out” deductively by looking at all the C and L

Question 3

Empiricism

Answer 3

knowledge comes only or primarily from sensory experience. (focus on empirical evidence)

“knowledge is based on experience”

Question 4

difference between a causal relation and a mere correlation

Answer 4

Causation is the relationship between cause and effect. So, when a cause results in an effect, that’s a causation. … When we say that correlation does not imply causation, we mean that just because you can see a connection or a mutual relationship between two variables, it doesn’t necessarily mean that one causes the other.

Question 5

spurious correlation

Answer 5

a relationship wherein two events/variables WITHOUT logical connection are inferred to be related due an unseen third occurrence.

(spurious means “not being what you think it is..”)

Question 6

confounding factor

Answer 6

Factors that can cause or prevent the outcome of interest but are NOT intermediate(playing a part) variables of the factor(s) under investigation

can ruin an experiment and produce useless results

Question 7

dependent variable

Answer 7

the variable being tested and measured in a scientific experiment

Question 8

independent variable

Answer 8

the variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment to test the effects on the dependent variable

Question 9

control variable

Answer 9

the one element that is not changed throughout an experiment, because its unchanging state allows the relationship between the other variables being tested to be better understood.

Question 10

Example problems with DN model

Answer 10

1)
FLAGPOLE shadow under the sun:
theta, h and x needed. Any two will solve for the third.

> > > But the casual relations between these factors are not symmetric. (We cannot change x). DN model does not suffice here

2)

• (Law) All people taking BIRTH CONTROL cant get pregnant
• (Condition) Mike is taking birth control
• (E) Mike can’t get pregnant

These cases satisfy the DN conditions, but intuitively do not constitute genuine explanations
»>DN account is not sufficient for explanation

3) VASE crashing to the floor…