Argumenta – Journal of Analytic Philosophy

In this discussion I point out that Max Black offers not one but two arguments against the (logical/metaphysical) possibility of backwards causation. Although both arguments fail in their intended aim, they show something of importance, viz., that defenders of backwards causation should understand Black’s Houdini example (and others like it) in terms of the ‘multiple causes’ model.

In order to understand and assess Max Black’s arguments against the possibility of backwards causation we should re-visit Black’s original Houdini thought-experiment (Black 1956: 52-55). Although the so-called ‘bilking argument’ against backwards causation has been much discussed over the years, commentators have overlooked the fact that Black offers not one but two arguments against the possibility of backwards causation. Moreover, properly formulated, Black’s arguments teach us something important about the strange and complex causal laws which would have to hold in the kind of…

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