261032 Causation (S) (WiSe 2016/2017)

The aim of the course is to give an overview of the philosophical discussion on causation. Why should we be interested in causation? What does it mean to say that X causes Y? We shall begin by reading classical texts on causation and causes (e.g., Aristotle, Hume, Russell), examine standard approaches to causation, and end the course by studying the ways in which the problem of causation arises in discussions concerning different areas of modern society (e.g., economics, medicine and law).

Literaturangaben

Broadbent, A. (2016) Philosophy for graduate students. Core topics from metaphysics and epistemology. Chapter 3.
Lewis, D. “Causation.” The Journal Of Philosophy 70: 556--‐567. Reprinted In Lewis, Philosophical Papers Vol.II.
Hume, D. 1748. An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, Section VII.
Illari, P. & Russo, F. (2014). Causality. Philosophical theory meets scientific practice. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Russell, B. 1912. “On the Notion of Cause”, in Mysticism and Logic, and Other Essays. London: Allen and Unwin