Theoria: An International Journal for Theory, History and Foundations of Science

Volume 11, Issue 3, Septiembre 1996

Didier Dubois, Henri Prade
Pages 109-121

New Trends and Open Problems in Fuzzy Logic and Approximate Reasoning

This short paper about fuzzy set-based approximate reasoning first emphasizes the three main semantics for fuzzy sets: similarity, preference and uncertainty. The difference between truth-functional many-valued logics of vague or gradual propositions and non fully compositional calculi such as possibilistic logic (which handles uncertainty) or similarity logics is stressed. Then, potentials of fuzzy set-based reasoning methods are briefly outlined for various kinds of approximate reasoning: deductive reasoning about flexible constraints, reasoning under uncertainty and inconsistency, hypothetical reasoning, exception-tolerant plausible reasoning using generic knowledge, interpolative reasoning, and abductive reasoning (under uncertainty). Open problems are listed in the conclusion.