Enriched Causalism

Abstract

Abstract This chapter discusses the question of how the bare causalist view could be enriched by exploiting potential grounds of the relevant causal facts. Specifically, it discusses the role that powers (dispositions and abilities) could play in a causalist conception of action and free action. It discusses both manifested and unmanifested powers, and two corresponding forms of enriched causalism: “manifested-powers causalism” and “unmanifested-powers causalism.” It is argued that the former is better suited for action and the latter for free action; however, this divergence is not a problem for the big-picture causalist view but a friendly result.