Combining Fuzzy Imprecision with Probabilistic Uncertainty in Decision Making

Combining Fuzzy Imprecision with Probabilistic Uncertainty in Decision Making PDF

Author: Mario Fedrizzi

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 410

ISBN-13: 3642466443

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In the literature of decision analysis it is traditional to rely on the tools provided by probability theory to deal with problems in which uncertainty plays a substantive role. In recent years, however, it has become increasingly clear that uncertainty is a mul tifaceted concept in which some of the important facets do not lend themselves to analysis by probability-based methods. One such facet is that of fuzzy imprecision, which is associated with the use of fuzzy predicates exemplified by small, large, fast, near, likely, etc. To be more specific, consider a proposition such as "It is very unlikely that the price of oil will decline sharply in the near future," in which the italicized words play the role of fuzzy predicates. The question is: How can one express the mean ing of this proposition through the use of probability-based methods? If this cannot be done effectively in a probabilistic framework, then how can one employ the information provided by the proposition in question to bear on a decision relating to an investment in a company engaged in exploration and marketing of oil? As another example, consider a collection of rules of the form "If X is Ai then Y is B,," j = 1, . . . , n, in which X and Yare real-valued variables and Ai and Bi are fuzzy numbers exemplified by small, large, not very small, close to 5, etc.

The Theory of the Knowledge Square: The Fuzzy Rational Foundations of the Knowledge-Production Systems

The Theory of the Knowledge Square: The Fuzzy Rational Foundations of the Knowledge-Production Systems PDF

Author: Kofi Kissi Dompere

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2012-08-28

Total Pages: 232

ISBN-13: 3642311199

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The monograph is about a meta-theory of knowledge-production process and the logical pathway that connects the epistemic possibility to the epistemic reality. It examines the general conditions of paradigms for information processing and isolates the classical and fuzzy paradigms for comparative analysis. The sets of conditions that give rise to them are defined, stated and analyzed to abstract the corresponding sets of laws of thought. The fuzzy paradigm with its corresponding logic and mathematics is related to inexact symbolism for the defective information structure where the results of the knowledge production must satisfy the epistemic conditionality, composed of fuzzy conditionality and fuzzy-stochastic conditionality under the principle of logical duality with continuum. The classical paradigm with its corresponding logic and mathematics is related to exact symbolism for exact information structure where the vagueness component of the defectiveness is assumed away, and where the results of the knowledge production must satisfy no epistemic conditionality or at the maximum only the stochastic conditionality under the principle of logical dualism with excluded middle. It is argued that the epistemic path that links ontological space to the epistemological space is information. The ontological space is taken as the primary category of reality while the epistemological space is shone to be a derivative. Such information is universally defective and together with assumptions imposed guides the development of paradigms with their laws of thought, logic of reasoning, mathematics and computational techniques. The relational structure is seen in terms of logical trinity with a given example as matter-information-energy transformational trinity which is supported by the time trinity of past-present-future relationality. The book is written for professionals, researchers and students working in philosophy of science, decision-choice theories, economies, sciences, computer science, engineering, cognitive psychology and researchers working on, or interested in fuzzy paradigm, fuzzy logic, fuzzy decisions, and phenomena of vagueness and ambiguities, fuzzy mathematics, fuzzy-stochastic processes and theory of knowledge. It is further aimed at research institutions and libraries. The subject matter belongs to extensive research and development taking place on fuzzy phenomena and the debate between the fuzzy paradigm and the classical paradigm relative to informatics, synergetic science and complexity theory. The book will have a global appeal and across disciplines. Its strength, besides the contents, is the special effort that is undertaken to make it relevant and accessible to different areas of sciences and knowledge production.

A General Theory of Entropy

A General Theory of Entropy PDF

Author: Kofi Kissi Dompere

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2019-08-02

Total Pages: 247

ISBN-13: 3030181596

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This book presents an epistemic framework for dealing with information-knowledge and certainty-uncertainty problems within the space of quality-quantity dualities. It bridges between theoretical concepts of entropy and entropy measurements, proposing the concept and measurement of fuzzy-stochastic entropy that is applicable to all areas of knowing under human cognitive limitations over the epistemological space. The book builds on two previous monographs by the same author concerning theories of info-statics and info-dynamics, to deal with identification and transformation problems respectively. The theoretical framework is developed by using the toolboxes such as those of the principle of opposites, systems of actual-potential polarities and negative-positive dualities, under different cost-benefit time-structures. The category theory and the fuzzy paradigm of thought, under methodological constructionism-reductionism duality, are used in the fuzzy-stochastic and cost-benefit spaces to point to directions of global application in knowing, knowledge and decision-choice actions. Thus, the book is concerned with a general theory of entropy, showing how the fuzzy paradigm of thought is developed to deal with the problems of qualitative-quantitative uncertainties over the fuzzy-stochastic space, which will be applicable to conditions of soft-hard data, fact, evidence and knowledge over the spaces of problem-solution dualities, decision-choice actions in sciences, non-sciences, engineering and planning sciences to abstract acceptable information-knowledge elements.

Symbolic and Quantitative Approaches to Uncertainty

Symbolic and Quantitative Approaches to Uncertainty PDF

Author: Rudolf Kruse

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 1991-10

Total Pages: 380

ISBN-13: 9783540546597

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A variety of formalisms have been developed to address such aspects of handling imperfect knowledge as uncertainty, vagueness, imprecision, incompleteness, and partial inconsistency. Some of the most familiar approaches in this research field are nonmonotonic logics, modal logics, probability theory (Bayesian and non-Bayesian), belief function theory, and fuzzy sets and possibility theory. ESPRIT Basic Research Action 3085, entitled Defeasible Reasoning and Uncertainty Management Systems (DRUMS), aims to contribute to the elucidation of similarities and differences between these formalisms. It consists of 11 active European research groups. The European Conference on Symbolic and Quantitative Approaches to Uncertainty (ESQAU) provides a forum for these groups to meet and discuss their scientific results. This volume contains 42 contributions accepted for the ESQAU meeting held in October 1991 in Marseille, together with 12 articles presenting the activities of the DRUMS groups and two invited presentations.

PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS - Volume II

PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS - Volume II PDF

Author: Reinhard Viertl

Publisher: EOLSS Publications

Published: 2009-06-11

Total Pages: 520

ISBN-13: 1848260539

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Probability and Statistics theme is a component of Encyclopedia of Mathematical Sciences in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. The Theme with contributions from distinguished experts in the field, discusses Probability and Statistics. Probability is a standard mathematical concept to describe stochastic uncertainty. Probability and Statistics can be considered as the two sides of a coin. They consist of methods for modeling uncertainty and measuring real phenomena. Today many important political, health, and economic decisions are based on statistics. This theme is structured in five main topics: Probability and Statistics; Probability Theory; Stochastic Processes and Random Fields; Probabilistic Models and Methods; Foundations of Statistics, which are then expanded into multiple subtopics, each as a chapter. These three volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College students Educators, Professional practitioners, Research personnel and Policy analysts, managers, and decision makers and NGOs.

Knowledge Representation and Reasoning Under Uncertainty

Knowledge Representation and Reasoning Under Uncertainty PDF

Author: Michael Masuch

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 1994-06-28

Total Pages: 252

ISBN-13: 9783540580959

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This volume is based on the International Conference Logic at Work, held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, in December 1992. The 14 papers in this volume are selected from 86 submissions and 8 invited contributions and are all devoted to knowledge representation and reasoning under uncertainty, which are core issues of formal artificial intelligence. Nowadays, logic is not any longer mainly associated to mathematical and philosophical problems. The term applied logic has a far wider meaning, as numerous applications of logical methods, particularly in computer science, artificial intelligence, or formal linguistics, testify. As demonstrated also in this volume, a variety of non-standard logics gained increased importance for knowledge representation and reasoning under uncertainty.

Theory of Categorial Conversion

Theory of Categorial Conversion PDF

Author: Kofi Kissi Dompere

Publisher: Adonis & Abbey Publishers Ltd

Published: 2017-02-16

Total Pages: 407

ISBN-13: 1912234955

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The Theory of Categorial Conversion is advanced by Professor Kofi Kissi Dompere as mathematical-philosophical and game-theoretic foundations to solve the problem of socio-natural transformation as governed by some internal process in relation to Marx, Schumpeter and Nkrumah. Dompere' s methodology is based on the Africentric principles of opposites made up of actual-potential polarity, negative-positive duality with relational continuum and unity under cost-benefit rationality and Asantrofi-Anoma principle supported by fuzzy paradigm of thought. Socio-natural transformations are seen in terms of game theories in a fuzzy-stochastic space admitting of defective-deceptive information structures in quality-quantity space within the subjective-objective duality. The main premise of the monograph is that there exists a set of necessary and sufficient conditions for internal self-transformation. The necessary conditions are made up of categorial moments and categorial transfer functions forming the domain of control instrumentation in creating the sufficient conditions for categorial-conversion processes.Dompere presents an important methodological framework for the study and construction of the theories of socioeconomic development and political change, as well as info-dynamics connecting knowledge, sciences, innovation and engineering to the space of knowing, under qualitative-quantitative transformational dynamics with defective-deceptive information structures in the games for power and dominance by duals and poles in conflicts. The necessary conditions of socio-natural transformation are internally derived based on the relational structure of matter-energy-information activities within the dynamics of qualitative dispositions of dualities of actual-potential polarities. The theory consists of category formation showing ontological-epistemological categories, and categorial dynamics shows elemental conversions of categorial varieties in a continuum. The logical tools and the paradigm of thought for the theoretical development of Nkrumah's framework involve self-excitement, self-correction and self-control systems induced by internal contradictions. The set of necessary conditions constitutes the natural necessity that constrains cognitive freedom in socio-natural transformations. Had this conceptual system been familiar to economists and social scientists, the construct of the theories of socioeconomic development and transformations would have been increasingly successful.

Fuzzy Rationality

Fuzzy Rationality PDF

Author: Kofi Kissi Dompere

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2009-03-20

Total Pages: 301

ISBN-13: 3540880828

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Philosophy involves a criticism of scientific knowledge, not from a point of view ultimately different from that of science, but from a point of view less concerned with details and more concerned with the h- mony of the body of special sciences. Here as elsewhere, while the older logic shut out possibilities and imprisoned imagination within the walls of the familiar, the newer logic shows rather what may happen, and refuses to decide as to what must happen. Bertrand Russell At any particular stage in the development of humanity knowledge comes up against limits set by the necessarily limited character of the experience available and the existing means of obtaining knowledge. But humanity advances by overcoming such limits. New experience throws down the limits of old experience; new techniques, new means of obtaining knowledge throw down the limits of old techniques and old means of obtaining knowledge. New limits then once again appear. But there is no more reason to suppose these new limits absolute and final than there was to suppose the old ones absolute and final.

Theory of Philosophical Consciencism

Theory of Philosophical Consciencism PDF

Author: Dompere, Kofi Kissi

Publisher: Adonis and Abbey Publishers

Published: 2017-09-24

Total Pages: 462

ISBN-13: 1909112666

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In the Theory of Philosophical Consciencism, Professor Dompere establishes how Nkrumah used the theory of categorical conversion housing the necessary conditions of transformation to design strategies for creating the sufficient conditions for socio-political transformations. The theory of Philosophical Consciencism is about the institutionally destruction-creation process for socio-political transformation. The theory shows the scientific contributions of Nkrumah's thinking to the solution of the transformation problem in science and its application to social systemicity, where Nkrumah's analytical weapons were drawn from African conceptual system. The theory is developed as logico-mathematical foundations that guide the internal management of the command-control decision-choice systems for creative destruction of socio-political varieties in transformations through the development of qualitative mathematics making possible the construct of qualitative equations of motion for connecting varieties in qualitative transfers. The qualitative equations of motion through the Philosophical Consciencism constitute the sufficient conditions for transformations. The theory links rationality, intentionality, experiential information structure, defective-deceptive information structures in the control-dynamic games of power and dominance by the duals and poles under the principle of opposites with relational continua and unity relative to decision-choice systems that induce negation-negation transformations, where paths are established by the history of success-failure outcomes in the socially control-dynamic zero-sum games between the duals in any duality and between the poles of any actual-potential polarity. The main premise of the monograph is that there exists a set of sufficient conditions in support of the necessary conditions for internal transformation of socio-natural varieties. The theory is useful in understanding developmental processes and multi-polar-power zero-sum games for global dominance. The necessary conditions constitute the natural necessity that constrains cognitive freedom. The sufficient conditions constitute cognitive freedom that must overcome the necessity in socio-natural systems dynamics. Had this conceptual system been familiar to African leaders, the African transformation from colonialism to complete emancipation, rather than neocolonialism, would have been increasingly successful. This holds for those seeking triumph over injustices, oppression, imperialism and social change in all systems.

Epistemic Foundations of Fuzziness

Epistemic Foundations of Fuzziness PDF

Author: K. K. Dompere

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2009-03-13

Total Pages: 283

ISBN-13: 3540880844

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This monograph is a treatment on optimal fuzzy rationality as an enveloping of decision-choice rationalities where limited information, vagueness, ambiguities and inexactness are essential characteristics of our knowledge structure and reasoning processes. The volume is devoted to a unified system of epistemic models and theories of decision-choice behavior under total uncertainties composed of fuzzy and stochastic types. The unified epistemic analysis of decision-choice models and theories begins with the question of how best to integrate vagueness, ambiguities, limited information, subjectivity and approximation into the decision-choice process. The answer to the question leads to the shifting of the classical paradigm of reasoning to fuzzy paradigm. This is followed by discussions and establishment of the epistemic foundations of fuzzy mathematics where the nature and role of information and knowledge are explicated and represented. The epistemic foundation allows total uncertainties that constrain decision-choice activities, knowledge enterprise, logic and mathematical structures as our cognitive instruments to be discussed in reference to the phenomena of fuzzification, defuzzification and fuzzy logic. The discussions on these phenomena lead us to analyze and present models and theories on decision-choice rationality and the needed mathematics for problem formulation, reasoning and computations. The epistemic structures of two number systems made up of classical numbers and fuzzy numbers are discussed in relation to their differences, similarities and relative relevance to decision-choice rationality. The properties of the two number systems lead to the epistemic analysis of two mathematical systems that allow the partition of the mathematical space in support of decision-choice space of knowledge and non-knowledge production into four cognitively separate but interdependent cohorts whose properties are analyzed by the methods and techniques of category theory. The four cohorts are identified as non-fuzzy and non-stochastic, non-fuzzy and stochastic both of which belong to the classical paradigm and classical mathematical space; and fuzzy and non-stochastic, and fuzzy and stochastic cohorts both of which belong to the fuzzy paradigm and fuzzy mathematical space. The differences in the epistemic foundations of the two mathematical systems are discussed. The discussion leads to the establishment of the need for fuzzy mathematics and computing as a new system of reasoning in both exact and inexact sciences. The mathematical structures of the cohorts are imposed on the decision-choice process to allow a grouping of decision-choice models and theories. The corresponding classes of decision-choice theories have the same characteristics as the logico-mathematical cohorts relative to the assumed information-knowledge structures. The four groupings of models and theories on decision-choice activities are then classified as: 1) non-fuzzy and non-stochastic class with exact and full information-knowledge structure (no uncertainty), 2) non-fuzzy and stochastic class with exact and limited information-knowledge structure (stochastic uncertainty), 3) fuzzy and non-stochastic class with full and fuzzy information-knowledge structure (fuzzy uncertainty) and 4) Fuzzy and stochastic class with fuzzy and limited information-knowledge structure (fuzzy and stochastic uncertainties). All these different classes of decision choice problems have their corresponding rationalities which are fully discussed to present a unified logical system of theories on decision-choice process. The volume is concluded with epistemic discussions on the nature of contradictions and paradoxes viewed as logical decision-choice problems in the classical paradigm, and how these contradictions and paradoxes may be resolved through fuzzy paradigm and the methods and techniques of optimal fuzzy decision-choice rationality. The logical problem of sorites paradox with its resolution is given as an example. Interested audience includes those working in the areas of economies, decision-choice theories, philosophy of sciences, epistemology, mathematics, computer science, engineering, cognitive psychology, fuzzy mathematics and mathematics of fuzzy-stochastic processes.