What might a theory of causation do for sport?

Knott, E. T. (2019) What might a theory of causation do for sport? Philosophies, 4(2), 34. (doi: 10.3390/philosophies4020034)

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to articulate how a theory of causation might be serviceable to a theory of sport. This article makes conceptual links between Bernard Suits’ theory of game-playing, causation, and theories of causation. It justifies theories of causation while drawing on connections between sport and counterfactuals. It articulates the value of theories of causation while emphasizing possible limitations. A singularist theory of causation is found to be more broadly serviceable with particular regard to its analysis of sports.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The author would like to thank the Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities and the Arts & Humanities Research Council for the Doctoral Training Partnership and the associated opportunities.
• Keywords: Counterfactuals, absence causation, causal necessity, causal contingency, david kellogg lewis, prelusory goal, possible sport worlds, metaphysics of sport, causation in sport.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Knott, Evan
• Authors: Knott, E. T.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Philosophy
• Journal Name: Philosophies
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 2409-9287
• ISSN (Online): 2409-9287
• Published Online: 18 June 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 The Author
• First Published: First published in Philosophies 4(2): 34
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License