Causation and Law

Description: This quiz will test your understanding of the relationship between causation and law.
Number of Questions: 14
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Tags: causation law philosophy
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Which of the following is NOT a necessary condition for causation?

  1. A cause must precede its effect.

  2. The cause must be sufficient to produce the effect.

  3. The cause and effect must be related in a regular and predictable manner.

  4. The cause and effect must be spatially and temporally connected.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

While spatial and temporal contiguity are often associated with causation, they are not necessary conditions. For example, a cause can precede its effect by a long period of time, and the cause and effect can be separated by a large distance.

Which of the following is NOT a type of cause?

  1. Efficient cause

  2. Final cause

  3. Formal cause

  4. Material cause


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Final causes are not considered to be true causes in the modern scientific sense. They are more akin to purposes or goals, which do not have the same causal power as efficient, formal, and material causes.

What is the difference between a necessary cause and a sufficient cause?

  1. A necessary cause is a cause that is always followed by its effect, while a sufficient cause is a cause that is sometimes followed by its effect.

  2. A necessary cause is a cause that is always followed by its effect, while a sufficient cause is a cause that is never followed by its effect.

  3. A necessary cause is a cause that is sometimes followed by its effect, while a sufficient cause is a cause that is always followed by its effect.

  4. A necessary cause is a cause that is never followed by its effect, while a sufficient cause is a cause that is sometimes followed by its effect.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A necessary cause is a cause that must occur in order for its effect to occur. A sufficient cause is a cause that is capable of producing its effect, but it may not always do so.

What is the Humean theory of causation?

  1. Causation is a relation between two events that is characterized by constant conjunction.

  2. Causation is a relation between two events that is characterized by necessary connection.

  3. Causation is a relation between two events that is characterized by spatial and temporal contiguity.

  4. Causation is a relation between two events that is characterized by the transfer of energy.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

According to Hume, causation is simply the regular and predictable succession of one event after another. He argued that we can never observe a necessary connection between cause and effect, and that all we can observe is that certain events tend to follow one another in a regular manner.

What is the difference between a deterministic law and a statistical law?

  1. A deterministic law states that a certain event will always occur under certain conditions, while a statistical law states that a certain event will probably occur under certain conditions.

  2. A deterministic law states that a certain event will probably occur under certain conditions, while a statistical law states that a certain event will always occur under certain conditions.

  3. A deterministic law states that a certain event will sometimes occur under certain conditions, while a statistical law states that a certain event will never occur under certain conditions.

  4. A deterministic law states that a certain event will never occur under certain conditions, while a statistical law states that a certain event will sometimes occur under certain conditions.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Deterministic laws are laws that state that a certain event will always occur under certain conditions. Statistical laws are laws that state that a certain event will probably occur under certain conditions.

Which of the following is NOT a type of determinism?

  1. Causal determinism

  2. Logical determinism

  3. Theological determinism

  4. Physical determinism


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Theological determinism is the belief that God has predetermined all events that will occur. This is not a type of determinism in the same way that causal, logical, and physical determinism are, because it does not rely on the idea of cause and effect.

What is the difference between compatibilism and incompatibilism?

  1. Compatibilism is the belief that free will and determinism are compatible, while incompatibilism is the belief that free will and determinism are incompatible.

  2. Compatibilism is the belief that free will and determinism are incompatible, while incompatibilism is the belief that free will and determinism are compatible.

  3. Compatibilism is the belief that free will and determinism are both true, while incompatibilism is the belief that neither free will nor determinism is true.

  4. Compatibilism is the belief that neither free will nor determinism is true, while incompatibilism is the belief that both free will and determinism are true.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Compatibilism is the belief that it is possible for both free will and determinism to be true. Incompatibilism is the belief that it is not possible for both free will and determinism to be true.

Which of the following is NOT a type of compatibilism?

  1. Soft determinism

  2. Hard determinism

  3. Libertarianism

  4. Compatibilism of the future


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Libertarianism is not a type of compatibilism because it denies that determinism is true. Compatibilism is the belief that free will and determinism are compatible, while libertarianism is the belief that free will is incompatible with determinism.

What is the difference between a causal explanation and a non-causal explanation?

  1. A causal explanation explains why an event occurred by citing its cause, while a non-causal explanation explains why an event occurred by citing something other than its cause.

  2. A causal explanation explains why an event occurred by citing its effect, while a non-causal explanation explains why an event occurred by citing something other than its effect.

  3. A causal explanation explains why an event occurred by citing its necessary condition, while a non-causal explanation explains why an event occurred by citing something other than its necessary condition.

  4. A causal explanation explains why an event occurred by citing its sufficient condition, while a non-causal explanation explains why an event occurred by citing something other than its sufficient condition.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A causal explanation explains why an event occurred by citing its cause. A non-causal explanation explains why an event occurred by citing something other than its cause, such as a purpose, a motive, or a reason.

Which of the following is NOT a type of non-causal explanation?

  1. Teleological explanation

  2. Intentional explanation

  3. Functional explanation

  4. Mechanical explanation


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Mechanical explanations are causal explanations. Teleological explanations, intentional explanations, and functional explanations are all non-causal explanations.

What is the difference between a scientific law and a causal law?

  1. A scientific law is a statement that describes a regular and predictable pattern in nature, while a causal law is a statement that explains why a certain event occurs.

  2. A scientific law is a statement that explains why a certain event occurs, while a causal law is a statement that describes a regular and predictable pattern in nature.

  3. A scientific law is a statement that is based on observation and experiment, while a causal law is a statement that is based on theory and speculation.

  4. A scientific law is a statement that is based on theory and speculation, while a causal law is a statement that is based on observation and experiment.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A scientific law is a statement that describes a regular and predictable pattern in nature. A causal law is a statement that explains why a certain event occurs.

Which of the following is NOT a type of scientific law?

  1. A law of nature

  2. A law of physics

  3. A law of chemistry

  4. A law of biology


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Laws of biology are not scientific laws in the same way that laws of nature, laws of physics, and laws of chemistry are. Laws of biology are more like generalizations or hypotheses that are based on observation and experiment. They are not as well-established or as universal as laws of nature, laws of physics, and laws of chemistry.

What is the difference between a law of nature and a moral law?

  1. A law of nature is a statement that describes a regular and predictable pattern in nature, while a moral law is a statement that prescribes what is right and wrong.

  2. A law of nature is a statement that prescribes what is right and wrong, while a moral law is a statement that describes a regular and predictable pattern in nature.

  3. A law of nature is a statement that is based on observation and experiment, while a moral law is a statement that is based on theory and speculation.

  4. A law of nature is a statement that is based on theory and speculation, while a moral law is a statement that is based on observation and experiment.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A law of nature is a statement that describes a regular and predictable pattern in nature. A moral law is a statement that prescribes what is right and wrong.

Which of the following is NOT a type of moral law?

  1. A natural law

  2. A divine law

  3. A human law

  4. A social law


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Social laws are not moral laws in the same way that natural laws, divine laws, and human laws are. Social laws are more like conventions or norms that are based on social customs and practices. They are not as well-established or as universal as natural laws, divine laws, and human laws.

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