Final answer:
To argue for a causal relationship, one must show temporality (the cause must come before the effect), covariation (consistent association between cause and effect), and eliminate alternative explanations by ruling out other potential causes or confounding variables.
Step-by-step explanation:
To argue that a causal relationship exists between two events, three central criteria must typically be met:
- Temporality: The cause must precede the effect, establishing that there is a temporal order where the event thought to be the cause happens before the event that is the effect.
- Covariation of the cause and effect: There must be a demonstrated association or correlation between the cause and effect. In other terms, when the cause occurs, the effect follows, and this relationship is consistent and observable across different instances.
- Elimination of alternative explanations: Other potential causes or explanations for the relationship between the events must be carefully considered and ruled out, ensuring that the relationship is not due to an extraneous variable or confounding factors.
These criteria help to support a causal inference, but it is important to note that proving causality can be complex, and causal relationships are often confirmed through rigorous scientific testing and replication of results.