When a legislature is conteplating enacting a statute on a subject it is faced
with an array of possible versions of the desired statute. Each will potentially
cause different effects which include both direct and indirect effects. If the
range of possible statutes is represented as Statutes 0-n the range of possible
effects that these statutes cause consists of Effects 0-n. These can be set out
in a table in the following way:
Statutes
Effects
Statute 0
Effect 0
Statute 1
Effect 1
Statute 2
Effect 2
Statute n
Effect n
Figure 7.2 Statutes and Effects
In a similar manner the options for interpreting law –
Meanings 1-n which
cause Effects 1-n, can be represented in a table:
Meanings
Effects
Meaning 1
Effect 1
Meaning 2
Effect 2
Meaning n
Effect n
Figure 7.3 Meanings and Effects
In both cases there is causation. Statutes 0-n are predicted to cause Effects 0-
n while Meanings 1-n are predicted to cause Effects 1-n. It is, however,
difficult to research how statutes and interpretation of statutes cause effects.
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Therefore, in default of a full scientific investigation abduction is a worthy
substitute even if second best. It can provisionally establish a causal law that
explains how and why a statute or meaning causes an effect. It establishes this
law on the basis that it furnishes the most plausible explanation as to how and
why the relevant events occur.
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Chapters 13-15
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