What is the fundamental nature of causation and how does it dictate our understanding of reality? D. H. Mellor, a prominent philosopher of science, provides a comprehensive analysis of causal relations by integrating metaphysical inquiry with empirical observation. He argues that causation is not merely a linguistic construct but a structural feature of the world that underpins human action, legal responsibility, and scientific explanation. The text systematically dismantles competing theories to establish a robust framework for understanding how events necessitate one another.

Experts recognize this work as a significant contribution to analytic metaphysics, often citing it for its clarity and logical precision. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for students and scholars of philosophy.