 The approximate relation of causal priority is interventionist. Causes are seen as devices for an (ideal) agent to manipulate an effect. However, Mackie did not propose an interventionist theory of causation. His final notion of causal priority is independent of a notion of agency. \(c\) was causally prior to \(e\) if there was a time at which \(c\) was fixed while \(e\) was unfixed (see 1974: 180-183 and 189-192). It should be noted, however, that Mackie himself does not think that his analysis of causal priority succeeds (1974: xiv).