Someone -- Will? Chris? Laiima? A fevered dream brought on by too many sandwiches? -- explained a while back, probably not on THIS blog, but somewhere I read, about the difference between primary cause and secondary cause, and I recall arson being the analogy used. As in, the primary cause of the fire was gasoline and matches, the secondary cause is that the neighbor likes fire.
I cannot find this now and I want to reference it for a post. Does anyone remember where this was, because I cannot find it via Google. Much appreciation.
It wasn't me, so that should narrow it down some for anyone who wants to try to look. I'm unfamiliar with any terminology but I've definitely thought about that idea. (Somewhat morbidly, when I try to get across and idea like that I go with what killed someone: yes the death was caused by the bullet, but it was also caused by the shooter.)
ReplyDeleteI was debating whether it could possibly be helpful for me to comment by saying, that metaphor was not me. Since chris has already done so, clearly it is a good thing to do :). I wish I had said it? but I didn't. Will - did you say it?
ReplyDeleteI may end up having to blame the sandwiches. My google reader searches have been fruitless. How odd.
ReplyDeleteElsewhere, I've seen it referred to as "proximate cause" and "ultimate cause", I think.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU.
ReplyDeleteThat didn't get me any closer to the piece I remember but it DID get me to WIkipedia, whereas "primary cause" was getting me to a lot of religious arguments about the beginning of the universe, which was not what I wanted at all. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
It wasn't me but there are a couple of places where the concept of the difference between primary and secondard cause are discussed.
ReplyDeleteprimary cause
the principal factor in causing the disease.
secondary cause
a factor that assists the primary cause. A cause of secondary importance. [The medical free dictionary http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/secondary+cause]
or, for a more philosophical take:
Primary Cause
According to Descartes, God is the primary cause, which is also referred to as the supreme being or first cause. The primary cause is capable of causing itself and can not be traced back to a beginning that does not include itself.
Secondary Cause
A secondary cause is one created by another and is capable of causing future events in some way. Man is an example of such a cause, as all mankind can draw their origins back to another, namely their parents. In order to avoid an infinite regression of secondary causes, Descartes proposed the concept of the primary cause.
Read more: What Is Primary & Secondary Causes? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_6680616_primary-secondary-causes_.html#ixzz1uPHSsNSz
It wasn't me but there are a couple of places where the concept of the difference between primary and secondard cause are discussed.
ReplyDeleteprimary cause
the principal factor in causing the disease.
secondary cause
a factor that assists the primary cause. A cause of secondary importance.
[The medical free dictionary http://medical-dictionary.thef...]
or, for a more philosophical take:
Primary Cause
According to Descartes, God is the primary cause, which is also referred to as the supreme being or first cause. The primary cause is capable of causing itself and can not be traced back to a beginning that does not include itself.
Secondary Cause
A secondary cause is one created by another and is capable of causing future events in some way. Man is an example of such a cause, as all mankind can draw their origins back to another, namely their parents. In order to avoid an infinite regression of secondary causes, Descartes proposed the concept of the primary cause.
Read more: What Is Primary & Secondary Causes? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_6680...
Edit Reply
I have a vaaaaague suspicion that it was me talking about 'proximal cause' and 'ultimate cause', and arson (or explosions) does sound like the sort of analogy I would use in that scenario, but I have no earthly idea when this discussion may have taken place. Also, I see now that 'proximate' is the more common term, so between wikipedia and mmy's links, you've probably got far better resources than I could have provided anyway.
ReplyDeleteRamblites are a resourceful bunch.
Thank you, Will. I certainly can't find it on your blog, patheos, or slacktivist, but I'm comforted to know I won't have to give up sandwiches. :D
ReplyDeleteI'll go with the Wiki / eHow links and thank you ALL. :)
Thank you, Will. I certainly can't find it on your blog, patheos, or slacktivist, but I'm comforted to know I won't have to give up sandwiches. :D
ReplyDeleteIf you wanted to reference it for a post, wouldn't cramming yourself with sandwiches in a bid to bring on a recurrence of the dream be the logical reaction if it turned out it was, in fact, a fevered dream brought on by two many sandwiches?
I have to admit that I think in terms of "proximate cause" vs. "underlying cause," but then I'm medical. Example from an actual death certificate I've seen: the proximate cause of death was sepsis (read bacterial infection), and the underlying cause was metastatic adrenal carcinoma. IOW, if the patient hadn't had a weakened immune system from the cancer and the chemo, zie probably wouldn't have gotten the infection.
ReplyDeleteAlas, sandwich dreams are unpredictable. I'm just as likely to have that one where I'm Anne Boleyn again.
ReplyDeleteLike Inquisitive Raven, I'm familiar with the terms from a medical context, as my best friend is an EMT, and we talk health stuff all the time.
ReplyDeleteI misunderstood your initial question, Ana, and thought you wanted to track down who told you the metaphor itself, maybe so you could get the details clarified for some reason. And I knew I hadn't used that metaphor before, so I thought that was the important issue to mention. Oops, reading comprehension fail.
No, no, you didn't misunderstand at all! I was looking for the reference where I saw it. You and Chris helped me stop googling on your sites. I'm sad I never found the exact reference I was looking for, but Wikipedia will do in its absence. :)
ReplyDeleteI'll chime in to say I'm in favor of sandwich dreams so long as they involve both Bill Cosby and the Muppets!
ReplyDeleteI think I remember it - pretty sure it was at the Slacktiverse.
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