The representation of knowledge in terms of rules is fraught with theoretical problems, such as the justification of induction, the "right" way to do it, and the revision of knowledg ein face of contradictions. In this paper we argue that these problems, and especiallyt the inconsistency of "knowledge," are partly due to the fact that we pretend to know what in fact cannot be known. Rather than coping with thep roblems that explicit induction raises, we suggest to avoid it. Instead of formulating rules which we supposedly "know," we may make do with the knowledge of actual cases from our experience. Starting from this viewpoint, we continue tooderive Case-Based Decision Theory (CBDT), and propose it as a less ambitious, yet less problematic theory of knowledge representation. CBDT deals with decision making under uncertainty, and can be viewed as performing implicit induction, that is, as using past experience to make decisions, without resorting to the explicit formulation of rules. We discuss two levels on which implicit induction takes place, and the corresponding two roles that "rules" may have in case-based decision making. We also discuss the process of learning and the concept of "expertise" as they are reflected in our model.
Download Info
To download:
If you experience problems downloading a file, check if you have the
proper application to
view it first. Information about this may be contained
in the File-Format links below. In case of further problems read
the IDEAS help
page. Note that these files are not on the IDEAS
site. Please be patient as the files may be large.
Publisher Info
Paper provided by Northwestern University, Center for Mathematical Studies in Economics and Management Science in its series Discussion Papers with number
1053.
Length: Date of creation: May 1993 Date of revision: Handle: RePEc:nwu:cmsems:1053
Contact details of provider: Postal: Center for Mathematical Studies in Economics and Management Science, Northwestern University, 580 Jacobs Center, 2001 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208-2014 Phone: 847/491-3527 Fax: 847/491-2530 Email: Web page: http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/research/math/ More information through EDIRC
Order Information: Email:
For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its listing, contact: (Fran Walker).
Related research
Keywords:
Other versions of this item:
References listed on IDEAS Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
Itzhak Gilboa & David Schmeidler, 1992.
"Case-Based Decision Theory,"
Discussion Papers
994, Northwestern University, Center for Mathematical Studies in Economics and Management Science.
[Downloadable!]
Other versions:
Cited by: (explanations, Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.)