Abstract

In this brief but formidable monograph Dorothy Emmet presents a splendid account of causation woven around numerous contemporary discussions. The largest portion of this book is devoted to an analysis of the epistemological problems of describing events in terms of cause and effect. Here Emmet defines her position in relation to the views of Davidson, Mellor, Anscombe, O'Neill, Prichard, Hornsby and others. Her main task however is to "pass beyond the epistemology to a metaphysics underpinning it", and this she achieves with admirable clarity in the remainder of the book. As far as the latter is concerned, Emmet's views are strongly influenced by her former teacher, A. N. Whitehead, but unlike the followers of his process thought dominant in America today, she is more sympathetic to his views of nature developed in his middle period rather than those largely developed in Process and Reality. Furthermore, Emmet is more concerned to develop a substantial metaphysical position of her own rather than simply to expound Whitehead's doctrines.