For the Sake of the Argument: Ramsey Test Conditionals, Inductive Inference and Nonmonotonic Reasoning

by Isaac Levi

Overview

This book offers an account of suppositional reasoning relevant to practical deliberation, explanation, prediction and hypothesis testing. In arguing that supposition plays a far greater role in deliberation and decision than it is given credit for, this major study will be required reading for all philosophers and logicians concerned with conditionals, decision theory and inductive inference. It will also interest those in artificial intelligence who work on expert systems, default reasoning, and nonmonotonic reasoning.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521039017
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	08/16/2007
Pages:	364
Product dimensions:	5.94(w) x 8.98(h) x 0.79(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Unextended Ramsey tests; 3. Modality without modal ontology; 4. Aspects of conditional logic; 5. Nonmonotonicity in belief change and suppositional reasoning; 6. Inductive expansion; 7. Defaults; 8. Matters of degree; 9. Normality and expectation; 10. Agents and automata; Notes; Bibliography; Name index; Subject index.

Editorial Reviews

"The book is recommended reading for philosophers and logicians concerned with conditional logics and inductive inference and will interest researchers in artificial intelligence involved in nonmonotonic reasoning and belief revision." A. Florea, Computing Reviews

"The book is recommended reading for hilosophers and logicians concerned with conditional logics and inductive inference and will interest researchers in artificial intelligence involved in nonmonotonic reasoning and belief revision." A. Florea, Computing Reviews

"This is no doubt a major contribution..." Otavio Bueno, Mathematical Reviews

"This is in itself valuable. Philosophers will find in this book a conscientious and by and large successful attempt to come to terms with some of the basic work in nonmonotonic reasoning, and to render it in language that is familiar to them." Michael Morreau, Jrnl of Philosophy

From the Publisher