A calculus for causal inference with instrumental variables

TL;DR

This paper introduces a formal calculus for causal inference using instrumental variables within a structural equation framework, providing a new way to define and estimate causal effects.

Contribution

It offers a novel formal calculus for causal inference with instrumental variables, enhancing the theoretical foundation for estimating causal effects.

Findings

Defines causal effect of X on Y in a structural equation framework

Proposes an approach to estimate causal effects using instrumental variables

Provides theoretical foundations for causal inference methods

Abstract

Under a general structural equation framework for causal inference, we provide a definition of the causal effect of a variable X on another variable Y, and propose an approach to estimate this causal effect via the use of instrumental variables.