The inference engine is a machine that accepts three different kinds of inputs—Assumptions, Queries, and Data—and produces three kinds of outputs. The first of the outputs is a Yes/No decision as to whether the given query can in theory be answered under the existing causal model, assuming perfect and unlimited data. If the answer is Yes, the inference engine next produces an Estimand. This is a mathematical formula that can be thought of as a recipe for generating the answer from any hypothetical data, whenever they are available. Finally, after the inference engine has received the Data
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