Sensitive and Insensitive Causation

Abstract

Consider a paradigmatic causal transaction. Suzy stands in front of a fragile glass bottle with a large rock in her hand. No other possible causes of the bottle's breaking -no backup or preemptive throwers, no earthquakes and so on -are waiting in the wings. Suzy throws; the rock strikes the bottle squarely, and it shatters. The impact of the rock caused the bottle to shatter.