The Limits of Probabilistic Causality in Law

  • Ignacio N. Cofone Universidad McGill
Keywords: causation, responsibility, probabilistic causality, tort law, efficiency

Abstract

There is still controversy regarding what criterion to use to evaluate causality. The law & economics literature proposes the use of probabilistic causality as a superior criterion, suggesting the elimination of binary causality criteria. This led to explanations that violate our intuitions, fail to explain judicial decision-making, and are considered unjust. This paper proposes that neither binary nor probabilistic causality can provide a satisfactory answer for all scenarios. Probabilistic causality works well for general causal claims (types of claims centrally involved in rulemaking) while binary criteria perform better for single causal claims (types of claims commonly addressed by courts).

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Author Biography

Ignacio N. Cofone, Universidad McGill

Profesor adjunto en McGill University Faculty of Law. Affiliated Fellow en Yale Law School Information Society Project.

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Published
2021-12-02
How to Cite
Cofone, I. N. (2021). The Limits of Probabilistic Causality in Law. Revista Jurídica Austral, 2(2), 515-549. https://doi.org/10.26422/RJA.2021.0202.cof
Section
Research Articles

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