# Intercausal Reasoning with Uninstantiated Ancestor Nodes

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/1303.1492 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/1303.1492/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 6 Mar 2013.

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [A note on incorrect inferences in non-binary qualitative probabilistic networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2208.09344/) (2022)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Intercausal reasoning is a common inference pattern involving probabilistic dependence of causes of an observed common effect. The sign of this dependence is captured by a qualitative property called product synergy. The current definition of product synergy is insufficient for intercausal reasoning where there are additional uninstantiated causes of the common effect. We propose a new definition of product synergy and prove its adequacy for intercausal reasoning with direct and indirect evidence for the common effect. The new definition is based on a new property matrix half positive semi-definiteness, a weakened form of matrix positive semi-definiteness.