Final answer:
Contributing factors are not necessary or sufficient but can influence the outcome in a particular case.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of causation, contributing factors are neither necessary nor sufficient, but without them in a particular case, the outcome may not occur.
For example, in the case of a disease, contributing factors like genetic predisposition, exposure to environmental toxins, and poor lifestyle choices may increase the risk of developing the disease. While these factors are not required for the disease to occur, their presence can significantly influence the likelihood of it happening.
It is important to note that the presence of contributing factors does not establish causation and can sometimes lead to spurious relationships. Therefore, a thorough analysis is necessary to determine the true causal factors.