Causality and causation: What we learn from mathematical dynamic systems theory

ABSTRACT

In this paper I analyse the framework of the mathematical theory of dynamic systems for the purpose of gaining insight into causal constructs and mechanisms inherent in the theory. The findings are as follows: time plays an important and explicit role; one cornerstone of the mathematical framework is the notion of state space which focuses on the object or entity under consideration; another is the concept of phase space which describes the class of curves that evolve with time. A most important notion turns out to be that of causal relation which describes the evolution of state at a given time to the state at a later time. Causal relations turn out to be intimately connected to intrinsic causation – the agents within the object or entity responsible for change.

Keywords:

• causality
• causation
• causal relations