Abstract
This paper elucidates an important feature of type-level causal relationships that is critical for understanding why disasters occur in sociotechnical systems. Using an interventionist theory, the paper explicates a concept, causal delay, to characterize differences between how rapidly or slowly interventions can make a difference to their effects. The paper then uses this explication to illuminate aspects of causal reasoning in everyday and scientific cases involving speed of change. In particular, the paper shows how causal delay clarifies why some systems are more prone to disasters than others. The paper closes by analyzing critical tradeoffs in choices between interventions.
