Thinking About Causes

Emerging as a hot topic in the mid-twentieth century, causality is one of the most frequently discussed issues in contemporary philosophy. Causality has been a central concept in philosophy as well as in the sciences, especially the natural sciences, dating back to its beginning in Greek thought. David Hume famously claimed that causality is the cement of the universe. In general terms, it links eventualities, predicts the consequences of action, and is the cognitive basis for the acquisition and the use of categories and concepts in the child. Indeed, how could one answer why-questions, around which early rational thought begins to revolve, without hitting on the relationships between reason and consequence, cause and effect, or without drawing these distinctions? But a comprehensive definition of causality has been notoriously hard to provide, and virtually every aspect of causation has been subject to much debate and analysis. Thinking about Causes brings together top philosophers from the United States and Europe to focus on causality as a major force in philosophical and scientific thought. Topics addressed include: ancient Stoicism and moral philosophy; the case of sacramental causality; traditional causal concepts in Descartes; Kant on transcendental laws; the influence of J. S. Mill's politics on his concept of causation; plurality in causality; causality in modern physics; causality in economics; and the concept of free will. Taken together, the essays in this collection provide the best current thinking about causality, especially as it relates to the philosophy of science.

"The chief cause of problems is solutions."- Eric Sevareid"Every situation, no matter how complex it initially looks, is exceedingly simple."- Eli Goldratt In 2018 I attended a training course in Paris that fundamentally changed my perspective. This was H. William (Bill) Dettmer's six-day course in the Logical Thinking Process, an exceptionally powerful methodology for strategy definition and problem solving, based on the methods of Dr. Eli Goldratt, author of The Goal and systems management legend, adapted and refined by Bill Dettmer.Towards the end of the course I realized how mastering this rigorous methodology changes the way you approach situations of any kind. It helps you deal with difficult situations in a way few if any other methodologies can.Achieve breakthrough results by deciphering complex causality, unearthing false assumptions and removing the conflicts caused by faulty mental models; this is what the Logical Thinking Process helps us to do, using classical cause-effect logic. In this book, a simple, everyday example is used to demonstrate how to apply the Logical Thinking Process and how it helps us drive success by making sounder, more rational decisions. The book also contains practical organizational examples and a concise overview of the framework.

Many organizations have realized bona fide reward payoffs using a systematic continuous approach to quality and quality improvement. Divided into two sections, this book begins with an easy overview of quality fundamentals and productivity followed by a more detailed explanation of the key quality improvement tools and techniques. Chapter topics include the evolution of quality, management by commitment and leadership, customer satisfaction, organization planning, partnerships and strategic alliances, need for a systems approach in process improvement, quality costs, current engineering, and much more. Includes many examples and study questions to make it useful as a business reference or text. Principles and Practices of Organizational Performance is the evolution of the author's best-selling book, Principles and Practices of TQM, certain portions of which have been included in this book. Selected as an Outstanding Academic Title by Choice Magazine, 1999.Benefits: Discusses international quality standards(ISO). Provides an overview of the essentials in quality improvement awards - both national and international.liIncludes a glossary of terms that aid in communicating the language of improvement. Contents: Productivity Fundamentals, Management and Organization Change, Customer Satisfaction and Focus, Employee Empowerment, Quality Planning and Deployment, Quality Systems and Improvement, The New Quality Assurance, Supplier Quality Management, Quality Costs-Old and New, Tools for Continuous Improvement, Quality Standards and Awards, Quality Function Deployment, Design of Experiments

A Turing Award-winning computer scientist and statistician shows how understanding causality has revolutionized science and will revolutionize artificial intelligence "Correlation is not causation." This mantra, chanted by scientists for more than a century, has led to a virtual prohibition on causal talk. Today, that taboo is dead. The causal revolution, instigated by Judea Pearl and his colleagues, has cut through a century of confusion and established causality -- the study of cause and effect -- on a firm scientific basis. His work explains how we can know easy things, like whether it was rain or a sprinkler that made a sidewalk wet; and how to answer hard questions, like whether a drug cured an illness. Pearl's work enables us to know not just whether one thing causes another: it lets us explore the world that is and the worlds that could have been. It shows us the essence of human thought and key to artificial intelligence. Anyone who wants to understand either needs The Book of Why.

Whether students leave the classroom confident and goal-directed or frustrated and aimless depends on our ability to do two things: diagnose their needs and deliver support. This challenge can be daunting when students come to school with weak vocabulary, poor planning and organization skills, and problems with memory, impulse control, and attention span. Causes & Cures reveals new neurological research about the root causes of these obstacles and lays out a comprehensive five-step protocol designed to help all educators identify and address common student academic and behavior issues. This essential guide provides * Illuminating case studies that walk you through the protocol in a variety of content areas and grade levels. * Strategies and tools to help you diagnose root causes and develop targeted, effective interventions for your students. * Guidance for extending individualized interventions to large groups. Most of us went into teaching with the dream of helping all our students succeed. We can't let students who struggle wear us down or wait us out. No matter which subject or grade level you teach, this indispensable resource will show how you can help students overcome difficulties and experience real success in the classroom.

Based on ten years of study, ten years of entrepreneurial experience and a further ten years of research, Zhao Yanchens Causes of Wealth of People lays out a comprehensive theory of entrepreneurship while at the same time serves as a practical guide for the entrepreneur. First published in China in 2004, this new English edition is the first translation of the book to ever be published. Analyzing all phases of business from project selection through operation and sales, and equally at home discussing the benefits and necessity of the free market and the Tao of an enterprise, the book provides novel and valuable insights on entrepreneurship from an Eastern philosophical perspective.

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