Conditional Independence
• What's the probability of my having a cavity given
that I stubbed my toe?
• Often, there is no direct causal link between two
things:
– direct:     burglary à alarm   cavity à toothache
       disease à symptom   defect à failure
– indirect: burglary à alarm company calls
       cavity à dentist called about toothache
       disease à symptom noted
       defect à failure caused by failure