Causality v. Conditionality

[maks]

Hello,

I am using the PS prep book from the full length course. On page 3-65 there is an explanation about the difference between causality and conditionality. I read over over it a bunch of times and also tried to Google it, but wasn't able to find anything that distinguishes the two. I would appreciate it if someone can please explain the difference to me. Thank you in advance.

Best,
Maks

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Maks,

Thanks for the question! Let's go back a bit into your question. You mention that you read page 3-65—which contains an itemized list of three significant differences between causality and conditionality—but that it didn't make sense. The summary of that list is:

1. In causality, the cause ALWAYS happens first and the effect happens second, whereas in conditionality either the sufficient or necessary can happen first;

2. In causality, the cause actually makes the effect happen in a physical way, whereas in conditionality the sufficient doesn't physically make the necessary happen (it just indicates that it occurred);

3. In causality, the language used is different from the language used in conditionality (and there are indicator word lists earlier in the course that cover those items). Causality is a lot more active in the terms used (caused by, produced by, etc).

If you can, please tell me which of those seems to be bothering you the most, and we can explore that in more detail!

The way I often think of causality is that A makes B happen; A produces or forces a certain result. For example, "not studying for your history test will cause you to fail" Here, the failure to study has a direct impact and makes you fail.

With conditionality, A simply informs you that B must have occurred at some point. For example, a statement like "When you see a red indicator light, then you have engine failure" is saying that the red light shows you that engine failure is occurring. It didn't make it happen, and it would typically occur after the failure began. That's very different from the causal statement in the prior paragraph.

Please let me know your thoughts, and we'll look at this more closely. Thanks!

[maks]

Dave,

The way you explained it on the bottom of your post made me understand it. In my mind, I was thinking conditionality was causality,. In conditionality, it doesn't have to cause it They can be two unrelated things. Thanks for your help!

Best,
Maks

[Dave Killoran]

Awesome, glad to hear that! Sometimes it just takes an example

Let me know if you have any other questions, thanks!