Independence, invariance and the causal Markov condition

This essay explains what the Causal Markov Condition says and defends the c ondition from the many criticisms that have been launched against it. Altho ugh we are skeptical about some of the applications of the Causal Markov Co ndition, we argue that it is implicit in the view that causes can be used t o manipulate their effects and that it cannot be surrendered without surren dering this view of causation.