Season 1: The Book of Why
What lies between cause and effect? In this episode, we delve into the concept of mediation, the hidden pathways that connect actions to outcomes. From James Lind’s battle with scurvy to groundbreaking diagrams in intelligence research, we explore how scientists uncover the mechanisms that explain how and why effects occur. When we ask, “Does Drug B prevent heart attacks?”, we’re really asking: “Through what chain of events?” Understanding these chains can mean the difference between truth and tragic error.
We also reflect on the legacy of Barbara Burks—a pioneering woman in science who challenged the norms of her time by visualizing the complex threads of nature and nurture through path diagrams, decades ahead of her field. Why do some causes work directly while others weave through mediators? And how can this knowledge transform scientific policy, medicine, and artificial intelligence?
Join us as we climb deeper into the Ladder of Causation and learn to trace the steps between action and consequence.
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📧 Email: amir.rafe@usu.edu
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