Philosophy
The Metaphysics of Causation: Counterfactual vs. Process Theories
Quick fact
Counterfactual theories define causation by what would have happened if the cause had not occurred, while process theories define it by physical links that transmit energy or information—often leading to opposite verdicts on tricky cases like omissions.
Why this is interesting
We say a falling rock broke the window, but how do we know the rock, rather than just the window's own fragility, caused the break? Philosophers have two very different ways of answering that question.