Causality: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Latin 'causalis,' meaning 'of or relating to cause'.
• It began to be used in English in the late 14th century, evolving from earlier philosophical discussions.
• Notable philosophers, including Aristotle, laid early groundwork for understanding the concept of causes.

Philosophy

• Causality is a central theme in philosophy, exploring how events are connected in reality.
• David Hume famously questioned the certainty of causal relationships, arguing that we can only observe patterns, not direct causes.
• Immanuel Kant posited that causality is a necessary framework for human understanding of experiences.

Science

• In science, establishing causality often requires experiments to determine whether one event influences another.
• The causal relationship between smoking and lung cancer has been recognized as a pivotal discovery in public health.
• Quantum physics challenges traditional notions of causality, introducing concepts like entanglement that defy simple cause-effect logic.

Psychology

• Causality affects human behavior by influencing decision-making; people often assess challenges through cause-effect reasoning.
• Cognitive biases, like the illusion of control, can make individuals overestimate their ability to influence events.
• Understanding causality is crucial in therapy, as recognizing patterns can help individuals change behaviors.

Literature

• Many narratives rely on causality to drive plots, as characters’ actions lead to consequences.
• The concept is explored in classic literature, such as the butterfly effect, where small actions have significant results.
• Causality also serves as a device in moral tales, where consequences teach important life lessons.

At position #13,196, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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• 13193 disgusted
• 13194 deleting
• 13195 shameful
• 13196 causality
• 13197 bravely
• 13198 mottled
• 13199 chronicle
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