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Dissertation Information for Denver Dash

NAME:
- Denver Dash

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Computer Science

SCHOOL:
- University of Pittsburgh (USA) (2003)

ADVISORS:
- None

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- None

MPACT Status: Incomplete - Not_Inspected

Title: Caveats for causal reasoning with equilibrium models

Abstract: This thesis raises objections to the use of causal reasoning with equilibrium models. I consider two operators that are used to transform models: the Do operator for modeling manipulation and the Equilibration operator for modeling a system that has achieved equilibrium. I introduce a property of a causal model called the EMC Property that is true iff the Do operator commutes with the Equilibration operator. I prove that not all models obey the EMC property, and I demonstrate empirically that when inferring a causal model from data, the learned model will not support causal reasoning if the EMC property is not obeyed. I find sufficient conditions for models to violate and not to violate the EMC property. In addition, I show that there exists a class of models that violate EMC and possess a set of variables whose manipulation will cause an instability in the system. All dynamic models in this class possess feedback, although I do not prove that feedback is a necessary or a sufficient condition for EMC violation. I define the Structural Stability Principle which provides a necessary graphical criterion for stability in causal models. I will argue that the models in this class are quite common given typical assumptions about causal relations.

MPACT Scores for Denver Dash

A = 0
C = 1
A+C = 1
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2010-09-28 00:12:50

Advisors and Advisees Graph

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Students under Denver Dash

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- Mark Voortman - University of Pittsburgh (2010)