# The Counterfactual NESS Definition of Causation

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2012.05123 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2012.05123/

## Key facts

- Cited by 8 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 9 Dec 2020.

## Built on by (most cited first, 8 of 8)

- [Causal Sufficiency and Actual Causation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2102.02311/) (2021)
- [Action Languages Based Actual Causality for Computational Ethics: a Sound and Complete Implementation in ASP](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2205.02919/) (2022)
- [Causal Counterfactuals Reconsidered](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2512.12804/) (2025)
- [Binary Spiking Neural Networks as Causal Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2604.27007/) (2026)
- [Embracing Background Knowledge in the Analysis of Actual Causality: An Answer Set Programming Approach](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2306.03874/) (2023)
- [Causal Kripke Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2307.05631/) (2023)
- [Difference-Making without Making a Difference](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2606.24832/) (2026)
- [Counterfactual Shapley Credit Assignment](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2607.16999/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

In previous work with Joost Vennekens I proposed a definition of actual causation that is based on certain plausible principles, thereby allowing the debate on causation to shift away from its heavy focus on examples towards a more systematic analysis. This paper contributes to that analysis in two ways. First, I show that our definition is in fact a formalization of Wright's famous NESS definition of causation combined with a counterfactual difference-making condition. This means that our definition integrates two highly influential approaches to causation that are claimed to stand in opposition to each other. Second, I modify our definition to offer a substantial improvement: I weaken the difference-making condition in such a way that it avoids the problematic analysis of cases of preemption. The resulting Counterfactual NESS definition of causation forms a natural compromise between counterfactual approaches and the NESS approach.