Abstract

This article deals with the causal connection between cause and effect. Main claim is that Hume’s theory cannot solve the problem of spurious causes, and that it is needed to take into account the theory of causal processes. Hence, for this reason Salmon’s causal-mechanical model is analyzed. According to this model between causally related events a mark, signal or energy is transmitted. Subsequently, manipulation theories of causation are analyzed. These theories face some problems, which, however, can be solved using the method of prevention. This method can distinguish relevant causes from the spurious ones by preventing a transmission of specific types of events. With the method of prevention and the theory of causal processes it is possible to distinguish between events where necessary or relevant causal connection is present and events where it is missing. Therefore, the problem of spurious causes is soluble.