Estimation of Causal Orders in a Linear Non-Gaussian Acyclic Model: A Method Robust against Latent Confounders

Abstract

AbstractWe consider learning a causal ordering of variables in a linear non-Gaussian acyclic model called LiNGAM. Several existing methods have been shown to consistently estimate a causal ordering assuming that all the model assumptions are correct. But, the estimation results could be distorted if some assumptions actually are violated. In this paper, we propose a new algorithm for learning causal orders that is robust against one typical violation of the model assumptions: latent confounders. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method using artificial data.Keywordscausal Bayesian networksnon-Gaussianitylatent confounders