cause and effect relationship explaination

[newbee24]

Hi,

I am aware that you cannot comment on any OG question. However, in 1 OG question (OG Verbal Review 2nd edition, Q62, page 214) a general causality "concept" is stated that I cannot quite understand. I was wondering if you could explain this causality concept with some other examples.

"WHEN X IS THOUGHT TO CAUSE Y,
IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER WHETHER Y OCCCURS EVEN WHEN X IS ABSENT:
IF IT DOES NOT, THAT STRENGTHENS THE NOTION THAT X IS CAUSING Y IN THOSE CASES WHERE THEY OCCUR TOGETHER"

I thought it should be the opposite of what is stated.

Thank you.

[tim]

Today i typed this post, and it rained. Clearly the fact that i typed this post caused it to rain. Right? :) This is what the OG is referring to - it would have rained regardless of whether i typed this post..

On the other hand, consider:

Today it was cloudy, and it rained. The fact that it was cloudy caused it to rain. This is true, because it wouldn't have rained without it being cloudy..