Causal Circumstances

The proposed analysis of causation has two immediate consequences regarding causal relata. The first is that the analysis will be satisfied by both an element in some causal circumstances for an effect and also by the causal circumstances taken in toto for that event, sometimes called the total cause of the effect. The second is that the analysis does not distinguish between elements in the causal circumstances, characterizing some as causes, others as enabling conditions, to take one alternative. These consequences are defended against those inclined to reject them or propose supplementation to the analysis. The idea of causes as contra-normal conditions either derives from certain biases at work in our attributions of causes or can be the basis for a pragmatic explanation of why we favour elements in causal circumstances as causes over others. It is a mistake to take contra-normality to be part of the nature of causation.