It is true that we must develop machine-learning models that can represent causality, but there is no one notion of causality that “represents our intuition about cause and effect”.
All notions of causality are tied up with theology, and specifically, with the theology of time.
All notions of causality are tied up with theology, and specifically, with the theology of time.
When we say the “intuitive notion of cause and effect”, what we typically mean is the Christian theology of time which is the dominant paradigm today, and secularized version of it known as “Deism”, that attributes the fundamental cause to a mover external to the universe.
This theological model of time is implicitly assumed within physics, for example, when we posit the “Big Bang” as the origin of space-time.
Then on, causality is modeled as one directional links from a “past” event to a “future” event.
But this model fails at singularities.
Then on, causality is modeled as one directional links from a “past” event to a “future” event.
But this model fails at singularities.
In fact, certain experiments in quantum physics, such as collapse of the wave function, indicate “future” events can influence the past. An observer now can change the behavior of light as wave vs. particle, even if that light is emitted billions of years ago from distant stars.
This crisis in physics will soon hit computer science. There is no way avoiding the theology of time when we want to model causality.
By the way, for people who don’t know, the son of computer scientist Judaea Pearl is tragically murdered by the Taliban when he was investigating the shady dealings between them and the Pakistani army. He is the journalist Daniel Pearl. May the brave man Rest In Peace.
I discussed a tool for modeling uncertainty - Gotama’s cube, which generalizes the notion of probability(A) using two additional predicates in logic: unknown(A) and unknown(not(A)).
This is inspired from Indian logic, known as Chatuskoti.
the-redpill.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-fo…
This is inspired from Indian logic, known as Chatuskoti.
the-redpill.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-fo…
In the Sāmkhya system, which I subscribe to, the chains of causality- known as “karma”, are vested completely within the universe “Prakriti”. These chains are cyclical, although for an unintelligent observer, the curvature might be so low that the cyclical nature is not apparent.
In order to correct for this illusion and perceive the true nature of causality, a person needs to achieve “samyata”: holistic vision to all the directions towards the universe.
This is represented symbolically as a lotus, with petals in all directions.
pragyata.com/mag/the-infini…
This is represented symbolically as a lotus, with petals in all directions.
pragyata.com/mag/the-infini…
