A Strict Manipulation-Based Conception of Causality, and its Implications

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• Fredrik Savje (Uppsala University)
• Friday 06 March 2026, 14:15-15:00
• Seminar Room 1, Newton Institute.

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CIFW02 - Causal identification and discovery

This talk provides a sketch of an understanding of causality that is strictly based on manipulation or interventions. The talk compares this conception with other ways of understanding causality that are common in causal inference. It discusses possible benefits and drawbacks of a strict conception. The main advantage is conceptual clarity. The main drawback is that questions that many people (both within and outside causal inference) find intuitive and reasonable would be nonsensical if the strict manipulation-based conception was adopted. The overall conclusion is that the strict conception plays an important role, but cannot play all roles. I argue that conceptual pluralism about causality is the best way forward for the causal inference community.

This talk is part of the Isaac Newton Institute Seminar Series series.

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