Abstract Given certain well-known observations by Mach and Russell the question arises what place there is for causation in the physical world. The aim in this chapter is to understand under what conditions we can use causal terminology and how it fits in with what physics has to say. The chapter will ultimately argue for a disposition-based process-theory of causation. After addressing Mach’s and Russell’s concerns the chapter will outline the kind of problem the disposition-based process-theory of causation is meant to solve. In a second step there will be a discussion of the nature of those dispositions that are relevant for our question. In section three existing dispositional accounts of causation will be addressed before a novel account is presented (sections four to six). Finally, the account presented will be contrasted with traditional process theories (section seven).
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