Which of the following is the weakest form of causality, but is still a useful concept?
a. absolute causality
b. contributory causality
c. conditional causality
d. secondary causality
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is: b. contributory causality
Explanation :
Causality refers to the relationship between cause and effect, and in scientific and analytical contexts, different forms of causality describe varying strengths of that relationship. Among the options given, contributory causality is the weakest form of causality, yet it remains a valuable and useful concept in many fields, including epidemiology, economics, forensic science, and social sciences.
Contributory causality suggests that a factor plays a part in causing an outcome but is neither necessary nor sufficient on its own to bring about the effect. Instead, it contributes to the likelihood or risk of the event occurring when combined with other factors. For example, smoking is a contributory cause of lung cancer—it increases the risk, but not all smokers develop lung cancer, and not all lung cancer patients are smokers.
This form of causality is particularly useful in complex systems where multiple variables interact. It allows analysts to understand how different elements contribute to an outcome without over-committing to direct or absolute relationships. This is essential in policy-making, legal investigations, and scientific research where establishing full causality may be impossible due to ethical or logistical constraints.
By contrast:
- Absolute causality indicates a direct and unambiguous cause-effect relationship.
- Conditional causality implies that a cause leads to an effect only under certain conditions.
- Secondary causality (though not a universally standard term) typically refers to causes that operate indirectly or through intermediaries.
Because contributory causality allows for the inclusion of partial, probabilistic, or supportive causes, it becomes a practical tool in scenarios where multi-causal explanations are necessary. Even though it’s the weakest in terms of definitive proof, it enables a broader, more realistic understanding of how complex phenomena unfold.
