Causation by Relational Properties

Author: Wim De Muijnck

Source: Grazer Philosophische Studien, Mental Causation, Multiple Realization, and Emergence. Guest Editors: Marc Slors and Sven Walter , pp. 123-137(15)

Publisher: Rodopi

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Abstract:

In discussions on mental causation and externalism, it is often assumed that extrinsic, or relational, properties cannot have causal efficacy. In this paper I argue that this assumption is based on a category mistake, in that causal efficacy (dependence among events or states of affairs) is confused with causal influence (persistence of and interaction among objects). I then argue that relational properties are indeed causally efficacious, which I explain with the help of Dretske's notion of a 'structuring cause'.

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2003-02-01