: A proximate cause is the immediate trigger—for example, a match lighting a fire. The ultimate cause is the deeper reason—why the oxygen, fuel, and heat were all in that place at that time.
Humans are biologically wired to look for patterns and causes. This drive is at the heart of our most important disciplines: causes
: Reflecting on the causes of our own behaviors helps us make better choices in the future. Common "Signal Words" for Cause and Effect : A proximate cause is the immediate trigger—for
: Identifying the cause of a disease is the first step toward a cure. This drive is at the heart of our
: A necessary cause must be present for an effect to occur (you need oxygen for fire), while a sufficient cause is enough on its own to produce the effect (a lightning strike is enough to start a forest fire).
