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Statistical Models of Causal Relations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2022

Kenneth M. Sayre*
Affiliation:
University of Notre Dame

Abstract

A model of causation is presented which shares the advantages of Reichenbach's definition in terms of the screening-off relation, but which has the added advantage of distinguishing cause and effect without reference to temporal directionality. This model is defined in terms of the masking relation, which in turn is defined in terms of the equivocation relation of communication theory.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1977 by the Philosophy of Science Association

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References

REFERENCES

Reichenbach, H. The Direction of Time. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1956.10.1063/1.3059791CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Salmon, W. C., et al. Statistical Explanation and Statistical Relevance. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1971.10.2307/j.ctt6wrd9pCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Salmon, W. C.Theoretical Explanation.” In Explanation. Edited by Körner, Stephen. Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1975.Google Scholar