Causation in terms of manipulation and the problem of anthropomorphism

Abstract

In this paper we examine the philosophical tenets behind the idea of explaining the concept of causation in terms of manipulation. We start checking classical anthropomorphism interpretations of that concept and Woodward’s criticism of such interpretations. Then, the main advantage of Woodward’s own manipulability theory of causation are presented and its essential resort to counterfactual conditional in order to define causation is closely examined. Finally, we concentrate on some drawbacks of Woodward’s theory concerned with singular causation and argue that those problems can be overcome if we develop an account which lays bare in a systematic way the modal assumptions involved in the counterfactuals used by such a theory.