construct-counterfactual

Purpose

Construct the minimally or explicitly intervened counterfactual world required by the parent analysis.

Input contract

required: [baseline_artifact, intervention_target, intervention_specification]
optional: [structural_model, invariants, outcome_query]
constraints: [alter only declared factors; preserve stated invariants]

Procedure

1. Freeze the baseline artifact and enumerate the target factor's dependencies.
2. Apply the intervention specification while holding declared invariants fixed.
3. Propagate direct and cascading effects through the structural model.
4. Compare queried outcomes and classify hold, weaken, flip, or indeterminate.