Causality and Modern Science Third Revised Edition

"I regard it as a truly seminal work in this field." — Professor William A. Wallace, author of Causality and Scientific ExplanationThis third edition of a distinguished book on the subject of causality is clear evidence that this principle continues to be an important area of philosophic enquiry.Non-technical and clearly written, this book focuses on the ontological problem of causality, with specific emphasis on the place of the causal principle in modern science. The author first defines the terminology employed and describes various formulations on the causal principle. He then examines the two primary critiques of causality, the empiricist and the romantic, as a prelude to the detailed explanation of the actual assertions of causal determination. Finally, Dr. Bunge analyzes the function of the causal principle in science, touching on such subjects as scientific law, scientific explanation, and scientific prediction. Included, also, is an appendix that offers specific replies to questions and criticisms raised upon the publication of the first edition.Now professor of philosophy and head of the Foundation and Philosophy of Science Unit at McGill University in Montreal, Dr. Mario Bunge has formerly been a full professor of theoretical physics. His observations on causality are of great interest to both scientists and humanists, as well as the general scientific and philosophic reader.

PREFACE TO THE DOVER EDITION 
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS PART I A CLARIFICATION OF MEANING
I. CAUSATION AND DETERMINATION, CAUSALISM AND DETERMINISM
2. FORMULATIONS OF THE CAUSAL PRINCIPLE  PART II WHAT CAUSAL DETERMINISM DOES NOT ASSERT
3.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE EMPIRICIST CRITIQUE OF CAUSALITY
4. AN  EXAMINATION OF THE ROMANTIC CRITIQUE OF CAUSALITY 
PART III WHAT CAUSAL DETERMINISM DOES ASSERT
5. THE LINEARITY OF CAUSATION
6. THE UNIDIRECTIONALITY OF CAUSATION 7. THE EXTERNALITY OF CAUSATION 8. CAUSALITY AND NOVELTY 
PART IV THE FUNCTION OF  THE CAUSAL PRINCIPLE IN SCIENCE
9· CAUSALITY AND RATIONAL KNOWLEDGE 10. CAUSALITY AND SCIENTIFIC LAW  
11. CAUSALITY AND SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION 
12. CAUSALITY AND SCIENTIFIC PREDICTION
13.  THE PLACE OF THE CAUSAL PRINCIPLE IN MODERN SCIENCE APPENDIX
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX