1. A causes B (direct causation). if A is necessary and sufficient for B, meaning A precedes B and A guarantees B. Ex: The pool stick striking the billiard ball causing it to jump.
2. A & B & C cause D (contributory causes): if A & B & C, are contributory, they are co-occurrent causes. therefore, for the specific effect, a contributory cause is neither necessary nor sufficient for the effect (because it is by definition accompanied by other
causes).
3. correlation is not sufficient for causation.
Ex: If Pluto's barking causes Dick to wake up,
Pluto's barking is a necessary cause of Dick's waking up if the barking precedes the waking, but it doesn't imply the latter will occur, i.e., Dick may not wake up (it's not guaranteed).
Pluto's barking is a sufficient cause of Dick's waking up if the the barking guarantees the waking,
although a another cause may also contribute to Dick's waking (noise
coming from the bathroom where Dick's wife was taking a shower). here
the presence of the waking doesn't guarantee the prior occurrence of the
barking.
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