Cause

A relation between events, processes, or entities in the same time series so that when one occurs, the other invariably follows. When the relation is conceived
as necessary, the doctrine is hard determinism . When the relation is viewed as constant conjunction, the doctrine is soft determinism or positivism . Also see Efficient cause See First cause

J. S. Mill said that cause is "the sum total of the conditions positive and negative taken together which being realized, the consequent invariably follows."