Proximate and ultimate causation

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A proximate cause is an event which is closer to (more immediately responsible for) causing some observed result. This exists in contrast to a higher-level ultimate (or distal) cause, which acts less directly through the proximate cause. In formal causal inference, the proximate cause is called a mediator. Example: Why did the ship sink? Proximate cause: Because it was holed beneath the waterline, water entered the hull and the ship became denser than the water which supported it, so it could not stay afloat. Ultimate cause: Because the ship hit a rock which tore open the hole in the ship's hull. In most situations, an ultimate cause may itself be a proximate cause in comparison to a further ultimate cause. Hence we can continue the above example as follows: Example: Why did the ship hit the rock? Proximate cause: Because the ship failed to change course to avoid it. Ultimate cause: Because the ship was under autopilot and the autopilot's data was inaccurate. (even stronger): Because...

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