Counterfactuals and Causal Mechanisms

Among the current discussion about theory of causation,a heated debate has happened between counterfactual approach and mechanistic approach.Advocates of each argue that their own approach fairs much better than their opponents'.Advocates of counterfactual approach attempt to prove theory of mechanisms needs counterfactuals,and can't get out of the difficulty causal relevance,while advocates of mechanistic approach argue that counterfactual itself has severe difficulties,so it can't be the basis of theory of causation.This paper shows counterfactuals are more basic than mechanisms.However,the two approaches need not be in conflict.If they can complement each other,that is,if the counterfactual theory of causation can be added the mechanistic consideration,than many difficulties can be avoided,and it is helpful to understand and establish relations.