Fuzzy-PLANNER: Reasoning with Inexact Concepts in a Procedural Problem-Solving Language

Abstract

All contemporary deductive problem-solving paradigms deal with a world in which assertions are true (false) and action-rules valid (invalid). This simplified situation is inadequate for realistic applications which include inexact information. This article describes a precise computationally specific method for coupling two different many-valued logics with a procedural problem-solving system (micro-PLANNER). Solutions to deductive problems can be found which meet specific criteria of validity. This particular scheme enables the system to dynamically compute the truth-value of a subgoal during the search process. Thus, the validity of a subgoal may be used to direct the heuristic search procedure. Fuzzy-PLANNER is a promising medium for experimenting with different many-valued logics to find the ones most appropriate for different problem domains. However, the notions elaborated here are relevant to any procedural problem-solving language.