Abstract

This work addresses the problem of causation in physics, as for quantum fields, the fundamental theory describing elementary particle physics. Three basic elements are used as methodological concepts: a) the notion of mass-point and the notion of a field describing a physical system ; b) the notion of state of a mass-point and of a field; c) the notion of causality among states, which are defined by symmetries. Then time and space changes include a space-like causality. These elements are discussed by using the definition of measurement, associated with the notion of symmetry. The derived results give rise to a generalization of the concept of causality, since a mechanical system includes mass-points, fields, and systems composed of mass-points and fields, together. In addition, conserved quantities, founding some causality theories, are generalized due to the notion of symmetry associated with causality.