Systems without a graphical causal representation

Daniel M. Hausman

Reuben Stern

Naftali Weinberger

pp. 1925-1930

in: Synthese 191 (8), 2014.

Abstract

There are simple mechanical systems that elude causal representation. We describe one that cannot be represented in a single directed acyclic graph. Our case suggests limitations on the use of causal graphs for causal inference and makes salient the point that causal relations among variables depend upon details of causal setups, including values of variables.