Causality as validity: some implications for the social sciences |
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Authors: | Rafael Moreno Rafael J Martínez |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Seville, Calle Camilo J. Cela s/n, 41018 Seville, Spain |
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Abstract: | We analyse the concept of causality in the social sciences, whose development is insufficient and lesser than the methodology
developed for its study. The nature of the causal process as the production of effects remains unclear and the relationships
considered to be manifestations of that process cannot be taken for proof of its existence. Given these difficulties, we suggest
that, aside from the inherited interpretations, the practice of the concept of causality makes reference to correctly specified
relationships not confounded by others; characteristics identical to those which define validity. In that way, causality is
equivalent to the validity of a relationship. Beyond merely re-understanding causality, this proposal permits the deduction
that the temporal precedence of the cause is a necessary condition only for one type of causality, making it possible to consider
other types, not admitted by the traditional notion, in which the cause is consequent or simultaneous to the variable to be
explained. Examples and characteristics of these types of causality are presented and considered to be useful for the social
sciences. |
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Keywords: | Causality Validity Temporal asymmetry Simultaneous relations Non-directional causality Causal models Social sciences |
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