Posted March 13, 2016
On correlation. I think we mean the same thing exactly. Notice that dependence is defined statistically, so you can have correlation (ergo statistical dependence) between what are actually independent variables (ergo they don't cause each other). The examples you gave are not that, they are correlations where there is causation.
I think trying to quantify the causation is a bit of a tricky proposal. I'm not sure how to put any numbers on such stuff. If I reciprocated Jane would be happy, since I don't she is unhappy. If Jane was not in love with me, my ignoring her would not do anything. So both are needed together and I think only those two are necessary and sufficient. Does that count as a 50% split? Maybe...
As for responsibility. Depends? Usually the word responsibility is used to imply a moral judgement. I agree that usually there is no strong responsibility for inaction. I'm sure I could think of exceptions though... but I digress. To me cause is impersonal. Gravity causes apples to fall. Zero responsibility. Quantum mechanics causes bodies to stick together in solid states. Zero responsibility. Causation to me is more about ability / power to effect change / motion / consequences. That's the physicist in me clearly... :)
I mean, let me try to avoid the word causation. Do you agree ignoring / inaction can have harmful consequences?
PS: using the word negligent to mean negligible is a bit tricky... negligence is almost the opposite of negligible - it increases the moral responsibility rather than diminish it. I understand what you mean, but it's a bit confusing.
I think trying to quantify the causation is a bit of a tricky proposal. I'm not sure how to put any numbers on such stuff. If I reciprocated Jane would be happy, since I don't she is unhappy. If Jane was not in love with me, my ignoring her would not do anything. So both are needed together and I think only those two are necessary and sufficient. Does that count as a 50% split? Maybe...
As for responsibility. Depends? Usually the word responsibility is used to imply a moral judgement. I agree that usually there is no strong responsibility for inaction. I'm sure I could think of exceptions though... but I digress. To me cause is impersonal. Gravity causes apples to fall. Zero responsibility. Quantum mechanics causes bodies to stick together in solid states. Zero responsibility. Causation to me is more about ability / power to effect change / motion / consequences. That's the physicist in me clearly... :)
I mean, let me try to avoid the word causation. Do you agree ignoring / inaction can have harmful consequences?
PS: using the word negligent to mean negligible is a bit tricky... negligence is almost the opposite of negligible - it increases the moral responsibility rather than diminish it. I understand what you mean, but it's a bit confusing.