On the notion of causality in medicine: addressing Austin Bradford Hill and John L. Mackie

Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo)

Luís Fernando S. C. De Araújo¹  Paulo Dalgalarrondo¹  Cláudio E. M. Banzato¹ 

关键词: Causality;    mental disorders;    schizophrenia;    Alzheimer?s disease;    Causalidade;    transtornos mentais;    esquizofrenia;    doença de Alzheimer;   

DOI  :  10.1590/0101-60830000000010

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

Almost 50 years ago appeared the seminal article by Austin Bradford Hill where he presented parameters for inferring causes from statistical associations, which became known as Hill’s causal criteria. This was a milestone for the renewal of the idea of cause in medicine. Our article revisits his contribution in light of the ideas from the Australian philosopher John L. Mackie, whose important works on causality reached an audience distinct from Hill’s. We suggest that both the British epidemiologist and the Australian philosopher share the purpose of articulating probabilistic determinism and multi-causality, the first with a predominantly probabilistic model and the second with an analytical approach. This article explores the possible consequences of addressing these authors jointly in regard to causal inferences in medicine, especially in respect to mental disorders.

【 授权许可】

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