Causation in branching time (i)

transitions, events and causes

Ming Xu

pp. 137-192

in: Synthese 112 (2), 1997.

Abstract

We propose a theory of events and causes against the background of branching time. Notions discussed include possibility based on reality, transitions, events, determinacy, contingency, causes and effects. The main idea in defining causal relations is to introduce a certain preconditioning circumstance under which one event follows another. We also briefly compare this theory with some other theories.