Causation and Explanation: Master the Concepts of Cause and Effect

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Causal explanations demonstrate how an effect is produced by its causes, while non-causal explanations do not.

Answer

Non-causal explanations demonstrate how an effect is produced by its causes, while causal explanations do not.

Answer

Causal explanations are always deterministic, while non-causal explanations are always probabilistic.

Answer

Non-causal explanations are always deterministic, while causal explanations are always probabilistic.

Question 2

What is the primary distinction between a scientific law and a causal explanation?

Accepted Answer

Laws are general statements about how the world operates, while causal explanations are specific accounts of why particular events occur.

Answer

Causal explanations are general statements about how the world operates, while laws are specific accounts of why particular events occur.

Answer

Laws are always deterministic, while causal explanations can be either deterministic or probabilistic.

Answer

Causal explanations are always deterministic, while laws can be either deterministic or probabilistic.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a sufficient cause?

Accepted Answer

Pulling the trigger of a loaded gun

Answer

Lighting a match

Answer

Flipping a switch

Answer

Blowing on a lit candle

Question 4

According to the covering law model of explanation, an explanation is successful when:

Accepted Answer

The phenomenon to be explained is deductively derived from a general law and a set of initial conditions.

Answer

The explanation provides a complete causal account of the phenomenon.

Answer

The explanation is logically valid and consistent.

Answer

The explanation fulfills aesthetic criteria of simplicity and elegance.

Question 5

The concept of 'ontological dependence' in the context of causation refers to:

Accepted Answer

The dependence of an effect on its cause for its existence.

Answer

The dependence of a cause on its effect for its efficacy.

Answer

The dependence of an explanation on its explanandum for its validity.

Answer

The dependence of a law on its instances for its empirical support.

Question 6

According to Hume's theory of causation, causation is:

Accepted Answer

A habitual association of events

Answer

A necessary connection between events

Answer

A transference of force between objects

Answer

An illusion created by the mind

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of a counterfactual explanation?

Accepted Answer

If the ball had not been dropped, it would have stayed in the air

Answer

The car accident was caused by a reckless driver

Answer

The volcano erupted because of the build-up of pressure

Answer

The earthquake occurred due to the movement of tectonic plates

Question 8

According to the unificationist view of explanation, a key feature of a good explanation is:

Accepted Answer

It unifies a wide range of phenomena

Answer

It aligns with established scientific theories

Answer

It is simple and straightforward

Answer

It predicts future events with certainty

Question 9

A potential limitation of Mill's methods of inductive reasoning is:

Accepted Answer

Reliance on observed regularities that may not hold true in all cases

Answer

Inability to establish the necessity of causal connections

Answer

Need for a large sample size

Answer

Dependence on the researcher's biases

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of a non-causal explanation?

Accepted Answer

The painting is beautiful because it is visually appealing

Answer

The patient's illness was caused by a bacterial infection

Answer

The earthquake was caused by the movement of tectonic plates

Answer

The car accident was caused by a reckless driver

Question 11

According to the probabilistic view of causation, the probability of an effect occurring given the presence of its cause is:

Accepted Answer

Always greater than 0 but less than 1

Answer

0

Answer

1

Answer

Equal to or less than 1 but greater than 0

Question 12

A key assumption of the counterfactual theory of causation is:

Accepted Answer

Effect would not have occurred without the cause

Answer

Same cause always produces the same effect

Answer

Cause must precede effect in time

Answer

Cause must be sufficient to produce the effect

Question 13

Which type of cause is most closely associated with the idea of 'making a significant difference' to the occurrence of an effect?

Accepted Answer

Sufficient cause

Answer

Necessary cause

Answer

Contributory cause

Answer

Distal cause

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of a counterfactual explanation?

Accepted Answer

The glass would not have shattered if it had not been struck by a stone.

Answer

The glass shattered because it was struck by a stone.

Answer

The glass shattered because it was made of a particularly fragile material.

Answer

The stone caused the glass to shatter because it was moving at an extremely high velocity.

Question 15

What is the primary distinction between a necessary and a sufficient cause?

Accepted Answer

Sufficient causes are invariably necessary, but necessary causes are not always sufficient.

Answer

Necessary causes occur more frequently than sufficient causes.

Answer

Necessary causes are more readily identifiable than sufficient causes.

Answer

Sufficient causes are more closely linked to the effect than necessary causes.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT considered a type of causal mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Coincidence

Answer

Physical mechanism

Answer

Psychological mechanism

Answer

Social mechanism

Question 17

Which of the following is a fundamental assumption of David Hume's theory of causation?

Accepted Answer

Causation arises from regularities observed in our experiences.

Answer

Causation involves a necessary connection between events.

Answer

Causation is a subjective phenomenon based on our perceptions.

Answer

Causation is inherently unknowable and beyond our comprehension.

Question 18

Which of the following is a primary advantage of the probabilistic theory of causation?

Accepted Answer

It does not rely on the assumption of a deterministic universe.

Answer

It has the capacity to explain all types of causation.

Answer

It is straightforward to apply in real-world situations.

Answer

It is grounded in a well-established understanding of causality.

Question 19

According to the Humean regularity theory of causation, a cause is:

Accepted Answer

An event that consistently precedes the effect

Answer

An event that is sufficient to produce the effect

Answer

An event that is necessary and sufficient to produce the effect

Answer

An event that is logically connected to the effect

Question 20

According to the principle of causality, every event:

Accepted Answer

Has a cause

Answer

Has a sufficient cause

Answer

Has a necessary and sufficient cause

Answer

Has a unique cause

Question 21

In the context of causation, the concept of overdetermination refers to when:

Accepted Answer

Multiple causes contribute to a single effect

Answer

A single cause produces multiple effects

Answer

An effect occurs without an identifiable cause

Answer

A cause is prevented from producing its intended effect

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT a necessary condition for a causal relationship between two events?

Accepted Answer

Spatial proximity: The cause and effect occur in the same location.

Answer

Temporal precedence: The cause occurs before the effect.

Answer

Non-accidental correlation: The cause and effect are not merely associated by chance.

Answer

Causal connection: The cause brings about or produces the effect.

Question 23

According to David Hume's theory of causation, what is the primary source of our belief in causal connections?

Accepted Answer

Empirical observation and experience

Answer

A priori reasoning and logical deduction

Answer

Divine revelation and religious teachings

Answer

Cultural beliefs and societal norms

Question 24

Which type of cause describes a factor that prevents or blocks the occurrence of an event or state?

Accepted Answer

Negative cause: A cause that prevents or blocks the effect from occurring.

Answer

Necessary cause: A cause that is indispensable for the effect to occur.

Answer

Sufficient cause: A cause that is alone enough to bring about the effect.

Answer

Contributory cause: A cause that contributes to the effect but is not sufficient on its own.

Question 25

Which characteristic is essential for a good and scientifically acceptable explanation?

Accepted Answer

Falsifiability: The possibility of testing and potentially refuting the explanation.

Answer

Reliance on personal anecdotes and subjective experiences

Answer

Unnecessary complexity and the inclusion of irrelevant details

Answer

Subjectivity and the absence of objective evidence

Question 26

What key difference distinguishes a causal law from a causal generalization?

Accepted Answer

Causal laws are universal and deterministic, while causal generalizations are probable and statistical.

Answer

Causal generalizations are supported by logical reasoning, while causal laws are based on empirical evidence.

Answer

Causal laws describe the relationship between a single cause and effect, while causal generalizations involve multiple causes and effects.

Answer

There is no fundamental difference between a causal law and a causal generalization.

Question 27

Which of the following is an example of a probabilistic explanation?

Accepted Answer

The financial crisis was caused by a combination of factors.

Answer

The glass shattered because a force was applied to it.

Answer

The car swerved to evade a pedestrian.

Answer

The patient's recovery can be attributed to the effectiveness of the treatment.

Question 28

Which of the following is a recognized limitation of scientific explanations?

Accepted Answer

They are restricted to explaining phenomena that can be directly observed and measured.

Answer

Scientific explanations are always complete and never subject to revision.

Answer

They require acceptance of supernatural forces and divine intervention.

Answer

Scientific explanations are equally valid regardless of their empirical support.

Question 29

What is the fundamental concept behind Bayes' theorem in the context of causal reasoning?

Accepted Answer

The probability of a cause, given an effect, is proportional to the probability of the effect, given the cause.

Answer

The probability of an event is independent of its causes.

Answer

The probability of an effect is always equal to the sum of the probabilities of its causes.

Answer

Causal relationships are always deterministic and non-probabilistic.