Causation and Causal Inference in Epidemiology
American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 95, No. S1, pp. S144-S150, 2005
The Coronado Conference: Scientific Evidence and Public Policy Paper
7 Pages Posted: 30 Nov 2005
Abstract
Concepts of cause and causal inference are largely self-taught from early experiences. A model of causation that describes causes in terms of sufficient causes and their component causes illuminates important principles such as multicausality, the dependence of the strength of component causes on the prevalence of complementary component causes, and interaction between component causes. Philosophers agree that causal propositions cannot be proved and find flaws or practical limitations in all philosophies of causal inference. Hence, the role of logic, belief, and observation in evaluating causal propositions is not settled. Causal inference in epidemiology is better viewed as an exercise in measurement of an effect than as a criterion-guided process for deciding whether an effect is present or not.
Keywords: Scientific evidence, Causation
JEL Classification: K13, K32
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation