causesreasons

Causesreasons is a nonstandard term used here to describe the study of how causal factors and justificatory reasons interact in explanations of events and actions. It covers both objective processes that bring about outcomes and subjective explanations tied to motives and justification.

In this framing, a cause refers to an event or condition that brings about an effect, typically studied in science and history. A reason refers to a motive or justification given for a person’s action, or a normative basis for a claim. Not all reasons are causes, and not all causes are reasons. An event can occur due to physical or statistical causes without involving any agent’s justification, while an action can be well justified or explained by reasons without being strictly caused by a single factor.

Philosophical and practical analysis often distinguishes causal explanations from justificatory explanations. Causal explanations aim to show how processes unfold (mechanisms, sequences, dependencies), whereas justificatory explanations address why someone acted, in terms of beliefs, desires, or normative considerations. In many cases, explanations intertwine these aspects: a person’s decision (a reason) may depend on prior conditions that also serve as causes for the outcome.

Examples illustrate the distinction and overlap. A failed gasket may cause a leak (cause); a technician’s decision to repair the gasket is explained by the desire to prevent damage (reason). In investigations, separating motive (reason) from causal factors helps build a fuller understanding of events and their consequences.