Abductive reasoning

About: Abductive reasoning is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1917 publications have been published within this topic receiving 44645 citations. The topic is also known as: abduction & abductive inference.

The Effects of Offering Similar Experiences for Hypothesis-Generation Based on Abduction

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of offering similar experiences for hypothesis-generation based on abduction Two hundred and seventy eight students in Seoul(8th and 10th grades) were requested to propose causal questions and generate hypotheses after observing an unfamiliar situation Then, after having been presented numerous similar experimental situations to initial situation, the students were asked to regenerate a hypothesis When the analysis was done to determine differences in hypothesis generation before and after offering the similar experimental situations, a meaningful difference appeared(p analysis was carried out to find differences in causal question proposal and hypothesis generation among students who had varied cognitive levels(p

Discovering and Communicating through Multimodal Abduction

Abstract: Our brains make up a series of signs and are engaged in making or manifesting or reacting to a series of signs: through this semiotic activity they are at the same time engaged in “being minds” and so in thinking intelligently, in communicating and in extracting chances from the einvironment. An important effect of this semiotic activity of brains is a continuous process of “externalization of the mind” that exhibits a new cognitive perspective on the mechanisms underling the semiotic emergence of abductive processes of meaning formation. To illustrate this process I will take advantage of the analysis of some aspects of the cognitive interplay between internal and external representations and communications. I consider this interplay critical in analyzing the relation between meaningful semiotic internal resources and devices and their dynamical interactions with the externalized semiotic materiality suitably stocked in the environment. Hence, minds are material, “extended” and artificial in themselves. A considerable part of human abductive thinking is occurring through an activity consisting in a kind of reiflcation in the external environment (that originates what I call semiotic anchors) and a subsequent re–projection and reinterpretation through new configurations of neural networks and chemical processes. I also illustrate how this activity takes advantage of hybrid representations and how it can nicely account for various processes of creative and selective abduction, central to communications processes and chance/risk extraction, bringing up the question of how multimodal aspects involving a full range of sensory modalities are important in hypothetical multidisciplinary reasoning.

Heuristics and Evidences Decision (HeED) Making: a Case Study in a Systemic Model for Transforming Decision Making from Heuristics-Based to Evidenced-Based

Abstract: Studies refer to Heuristics and Evidences Decision Making approaches in a comparative manner; however, it is identified that these two approaches are inseparable and are applied in parallel. The objective of this paper is to provide a qualitative analysis of a systems thinking framework that defines a transition path from either a heuristic dominated or evidence-based dominated decision-making approach to a balanced one. The aims are to demonstrate the stages of change and prepare managers and executives for the resistance that will be evident during the transition. We do not claim that this is the only path of change; however, it provides a structured model that can be repeated under similar context. We use abductive reasoning in order to make logical inferences and construct the framework’s theory based on a case study company, and then system dynamics that help us proceed to the modeling approach of this framework. The holistic modeling approach reveals the need to base decision making in both evidence and heuristics. Furthermore, it demonstrates actions to manage resistance and to make this system a self-regulated and continuous decision-making tool.

Weight Learning in a Probabilistic Extension of Answer Set Programs

Abstract: LPMLN is a probabilistic extension of answer set programs with the weight scheme derived from that of Markov Logic. Previous work has shown how inference in LPMLN can be achieved. In this paper, we present the concept of weight learning in LPMLN and learning algorithms for LPMLN derived from those for Markov Logic. We also present a prototype implementation that uses answer set solvers for learning as well as some example domains that illustrate distinct features of LPMLN learning. Learning in LPMLN is in accordance with the stable model semantics, thereby it learns parameters for probabilistic extensions of knowledge-rich domains where answer set programming has shown to be useful but limited to the deterministic case, such as reachability analysis and reasoning about actions in dynamic domains. We also apply the method to learn the parameters for probabilistic abductive reasoning about actions.

Nonindexical Context-Dependence and the Interpretation as Abduction Approach

Abstract: Inclusive nonindexical context-dependence occurs when the preferred interpretation of an utterance implies its lexically-derived meaning. It is argued that the corresponding processes of free or lexically mandated enrichment can be modeled as abductive inference. A form of abduction is implemented in Simple Type Theory on the basis of a notion of plausibility, which is in turn regarded a preference relation over possible worlds. Since a preordering of doxastic alternatives taken for itself only amounts to a relatively vacuous ad hoc model, it needs to be combined with a rational way of learning from new evidence. Lexicographic upgrade is implemented as an example of how an agent might revise his plausibility ordering in light of new evidence. Various examples are given how this apparatus may be used to model the contextual resolution of context-dependent or semantically incomplete utterances. The described form of abduction is limited and merely serves as a proof of concept, but the idea in general has good potential as one among many ways to build a bridge between semantics and pragmatics since inclusive context-dependence is ubiquitous.