The Role of Instruments in Causal Inference
In causal inference, instruments typically refer to instrumental variables—tools that help detect causal effects when direct experimentation isn’t feasible. An instrumental variable must influence the outcome solely through its effect on the causal factor, remaining independent of confounding variables. Philosophically, while instruments aid in isolating causal claims, they rely on assumptions that can oversimplify complex, context-dependent phenomena, highlighting both their utility and limitations in fully grasping cause and effect.