Comparing Causal Frameworks: Potential Outcomes, Structural Models, Graphs, and Abstractions

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2306.14351v2
• Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2023 23:03:16 GMT
• Title: Comparing Causal Frameworks: Potential Outcomes, Structural Models, Graphs, and Abstractions
• Authors: Duligur Ibeling, Thomas Icard
• Abstract summary: The aim of this paper is to make clear and precise the relationship between the Rubin causal model (RCM) and structural causal model (SCM) A key result then shows that every RCM -- including those that violate algebraic principles implied by the SCM framework -- emerges as an abstraction of some representable RCM.
• Score: 10.889531739861562
• License: http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/
• Abstract: The aim of this paper is to make clear and precise the relationship between the Rubin causal model (RCM) and structural causal model (SCM) frameworks for causal inference. Adopting a neutral logical perspective, and drawing on previous work, we show what is required for an RCM to be representable by an SCM. A key result then shows that every RCM -- including those that violate algebraic principles implied by the SCM framework -- emerges as an abstraction of some representable RCM. Finally, we illustrate the power of this conciliatory perspective by pinpointing an important role for SCM principles in classic applications of RCMs; conversely, we offer a characterization of the algebraic constraints implied by a graph, helping to substantiate further comparisons between the two frameworks.

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