Some Remarks on Hume, Reichenbach, and Einstein’s views on Temporal and Causal Priority in Causation with Objections from Quantum Realm

Abstract

Stunning new observations and theories deepen the concept of causation. Quantum theory is one of the most striking discovery of contemporary physics, and it challenges many facets of older theories, even though it lies on many assumptions that could not be empirically experimented. In this paper, I will recall the views of Hume, Reichenbach and Einstein about the issue of causation, whereas I will focus on causal priority and temporal priority criteria in causation. Nevertheless, one task that I perform is the interpretation of these ideas by arguing them within the quantum scope. That is, trying to manifest Hume, Reichenbach and Einstein views of causation that I think as close, but I shall avoid putting straight cuts on where they differ. Direction of causal processes is dependent on the direction of time in Hume’s sense while Reichenbach explained the direction of time with irreversible processes, even if he follows the temporal priority criteria of Hume. It is stated that there is nothing faster than light by Einstein, as a result, a cause could not pass the upper limit of light. Crudely put, their thoughts all differ from the principles of quantum, because causation (causation might denote a different meaning in quantum realm) may be able to travel faster than light and the common cause principle between events is rejected in quantum realm.