The Book of Why
by Judea Pearl
"The Book of Why" by Judea Pearl explores the concept of causality, emphasizing the importance of understanding the difference between correlation and causation. Pearl introduces a framework called the "causal ladder," which helps clarify how to reason about cause-and-effect relationships in various fields. The book argues for the necessity of causal reasoning in science, statistics, and everyday decision-making.
20 curated highlights from this book
Key Insights & Memorable Quotes
Below are the most impactful passages and quotes from The Book of Why, carefully selected to capture the essence of the book.
To be able to ask a question is the key to understanding.
Causation is not just a relationship; it is a relationship that has direction.
Data is a crucial part of the scientific method, but it is not enough by itself.
The power of causal reasoning lies in the ability to reason about interventions.
We must distinguish between correlation and causation to avoid misleading conclusions.
Every causal model can be viewed as a set of questions waiting to be answered.
Understanding causation allows us to make better predictions about the future.
The language of causation is essential for making sense of the world.
Counterfactuals are a powerful tool for exploring causal relationships.
Causal diagrams help us visualize relationships and reason more effectively.
To understand the world, we must first understand causation.
Data is not enough; we need a model that tells us how the world works.
Causation is the foundation of our reasoning.
Correlation does not imply causation, but it can suggest it.
The language of causation allows us to predict what will happen.
Understanding causality transforms how we ask questions.
Our models of the world should reflect causal relationships.
Causal diagrams are a powerful tool for reasoning.
Intervention is key to discovering causal effects.
The quest for understanding is a journey through the web of causation.