Does lewis’ theory of causation permit time travel?

Phil Dowe*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    David Lewis aimed to give an account of causation, and in particular, a semantics for the counterfactuals to which his account appeals, that is compatible with backwards causation and time travel. I will argue that he failed, but not for the reasons that have been offered to date, specifically by Collins, Hall and Paul and by Wasserman. This is significant not the least because Lewis’ theory of causation was the most influential theory over the last quarter of the 20th century; and moreover, Lewis’ spirited defence of time travel in the 1970s has shaped philosophers’ approach to time travel to this day.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number94
    JournalPhilosophies
    Volume6
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Dec 2021

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