We present a general conceptualization of causal relations that pivots on the distinction between causality, a law-like relation between types of events, and causation, the actual causal relation that holds between individual events. This distinction finds its formal characterization and embedding within DOLCE, in terms of a number of dependences between (types of) quality changes. Finally an application of the presented theory to the classical example of "the broken window" is provided.
Publication type:
Contributo in volume
Publisher:
IOS Press, Amsterdam, NLD
Source:
Proceedings of the International Conference on Formal Ontology in Information Systems FOIS 2004, edited by A. Varzi, L. Vieu, pp. 273–284. Amsterdam: IOS Press, 2004
Date:
2004
Resource Identifier:
http://www.cnr.it/prodotto/i/139859
Language:
Eng