Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 16:42:22 -0500
From: lynne engelskirchen <lhengels-AT-igc.org>
Subject: Re: BHA:reasons as causes


Andrew --

Thanks.  The Aristotelian stuff need not be of concern.  What since the
Renaissance we commonly think of as causality is pretty much Aristotle's
efficient causality.  With the beginning of the modern philosophy of
science formal and final causes were ignored and material cause taken for
granted so that left cause as efficient cause.  So the question is whether
reasons are a cause the way you normally think of cause.

But if the question is a separate stratum which does have the kind of power
you suggest, isn't that exactly contrary to Marx's Holy FAmily quote -- a
distinct stratum of thought is impossible to separate out.  Instead matter
is the substratum of all change.   And anyway what about Spinoza?  Hasn't
Marx just lifted this point from Spinoza?    

Howard



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