Artificial Intelligence
often uses logical models of reasoning. Logic investigates the validity of
patterns of reasoning. Standard logic confines itself to the study of fully
reliable inferences. Although this is adequate for fields like mathematics, for
many other applications standard logic is too restricted. In other scientific
areas, as well as in commonsense reasoning, people are often faced with
incomplete, uncertain or even inconsistent information. To deal with this, they
use reasoning patterns where it can be rational to accept a conclusion even if
its truth is not guaranteed by the available information.
This course focuses on
logics that systematise rationality criteria for such 'defeasible' reasoning patterns. Logics of this kind
are often called 'nonmonotonic logics', since new
information may invalidate previously drawn conclusions. This course covers
some of the best-known nonmonotonic logics, in
particular default logic, circumscription and argumentation systems, as well as
formal theories of abductive reasoning. Some
attention will also be paid to the use of these formalisms in the specification
of dynamic systems and in models of multi-agent interaction.
Upon completion of this
course, the student will have obtained insight in and mastery of the main
logical techniques for formalising defeasible commonsense reasoning patterns, and will be able
to apply these techniques to basic examples of such reasoning.
http://www.cs.uu.nl/education/vak.php?vak=INFOCR&jaar=2008