Fluctuation-response theorem for Kullback-Leibler divergences to quantify causation

Abstract

We define a new measure of causation from a fluctuation-response theorem for Kullback-Leibler divergences, based on the information-theoretic cost of perturbations. This information response has both the invariance properties required for an information-theoretic measure and the physical interpretation of a propagation of perturbations. In linear systems, the information response reduces to the transfer entropy, providing a connection between Fisher and mutual information.