Transference, or identity theories of causation?

  1. García Encinas, María José
Revista:
Theoria: an international journal for theory, history and foundations of science

ISSN: 0495-4548

Año de publicación: 2004

Volumen: 19

Número: 49

Páginas: 31-48

Tipo: Artículo

Otras publicaciones en: Theoria: an international journal for theory, history and foundations of science

Resumen

Transference theorists propose to explain causation in terms of the transference of a physical element. I argue, in two steps, that this it not possible. First, I show that available accounts of 'transference' ultimately convey that transference -and, consequently, causation- is the (non-relational) identity over time of the transferred element (a universal, a trope, or even an absolute substance). But, second, I try to defend, it is conceptually impossible that causation it (non-relational) identity.