Advanced · Cognitive
Default logic
Visual diagram · (in preparation) · Math · (in preparation) · Worked example · 3 difficulty levels.
TL;DR. A non-monotonic logic that handles reasoning based on default assumptions, allowing conclusions to be retracted if new information contradicts them.
Technical Definition
A non-monotonic logic that handles reasoning based on default assumptions, allowing conclusions to be retracted if new information contradicts them.
How it works
Default logic is a formal system for reasoning with default assumptions, meaning statements that are generally true but may have exceptions. Unlike monotonic logic where adding new information can only increase entailments, default logic is non-monotonic because new information might invalidate previous conclusions. This allows systems to reason more like humans, who often make decisions based on incomplete information.
Related Concepts
- Knowledge Representation — How facts and relationships are encoded so a system can reason over them.