Epistemic trust refers to the mental or intellectual bond between the Self and Others, which takes two forms. First, it concerns the participants' mutual trust that they share a common ground for understanding,com...Epistemic trust refers to the mental or intellectual bond between the Self and Others, which takes two forms. First, it concerns the participants' mutual trust that they share a common ground for understanding,communication and interpretation of their social reality. Second, it arises from the explicit awareness that the participants differ with respect to their understanding of their common ground and are willing to learn from an epistemic authority. Authority is a voluntary symbolic relation between the Self and Others. It contrasts with power, which refers to a relation of coercion that enforces obedience. The growing democratization of institutions and liberalization, as well as growing distrust of professionals, scientists and politicians, together with the emphasis on the rights of individuals and minority groups, has led to a crisis of authority.展开更多
Thermal Protection System(TPS)with thick tiles,low thermal conductivity,and a short re-entry stage stands as a critical element within reusable aircraft,whose reliability is related to the function and changes with th...Thermal Protection System(TPS)with thick tiles,low thermal conductivity,and a short re-entry stage stands as a critical element within reusable aircraft,whose reliability is related to the function and changes with their physical properties,external conditions,and degradation.Meanwhile,due to the limitation of testing resources,epistemic uncertainties stemming from the small samples are present in TPS reliability modeling.However,current TPS reliability modeling methods face challenges in characterizing the relationships among reliability and physical properties,external conditions,degradation,and epistemic uncertainties.Therefore,under the framework of belief reliability theory,a TPS reliability model is constructed,which takes into account the physical principle,external conditions,performance degradation,and epistemic uncertainties.A reliability simulation algorithm is proposed to calculate TPS reliability.Through a case study and comparison analysis,the proposed method is validated as more effective than the existing method.Additionally,reliability sensitivity analysis is conducted to identify the sensitive factors of reliability under the condition of small samples,through which suggestions are provided for TPS functional design and improvement.展开更多
This study explores the epistemic imperative to decolonize African education systems by centering indigenous philosophies such as Ubuntu and introducing the Ubuntu Pedagogy as a pedagogical model.Ubuntu pedagogy trans...This study explores the epistemic imperative to decolonize African education systems by centering indigenous philosophies such as Ubuntu and introducing the Ubuntu Pedagogy as a pedagogical model.Ubuntu pedagogy transforms teacher-learner relationships,it provides a replicable model for relational learning,community partnerships,and reassert the dignity of indigenous epistemologies.The paper examines how language,knowledge production,and pedagogy can be restructured to reflect African epistemologies and educational sovereignty.This research also explores the relationship between mother tongue instruction and cognitive access to learning.Through a qualitative literature analysis of case studies and African scholarly discourse,this paper highlights the continued marginalization of indigenous knowledge systems and the need to embed culturally relevant teaching methodologies.The findings support the broader question of whether there exists an epistemological base for knowledge independence or production within African and Afro-Diasporic contexts,revealing culturally coherent frameworks of learning that resist colonial dominance and an exploration of reclaiming African indigenous knowledge systems for educational and cultural sovereignty.展开更多
As per conventional wisdom, scientists and the lay public differ in their epistemic abilities. Based on an analysis of a public debate on Pu'er tea, this paper emphasizes that there are differences between scienti...As per conventional wisdom, scientists and the lay public differ in their epistemic abilities. Based on an analysis of a public debate on Pu'er tea, this paper emphasizes that there are differences between scientists and the lay public in their epistemic perspectives, including differences in attention, problem definition, criteria for judgement and reasoning. These perspectives may differ in degree and may switch or combine. This difference may explain the failure of communication between scientists and the general public. Thus, the success of such communication depends on overcoming the perspective paradox.展开更多
Importance measures can be used to identify the vulnerable components in an aviation system at the early design stage.However,due to lack of knowledge or less available information on the component or system,the epist...Importance measures can be used to identify the vulnerable components in an aviation system at the early design stage.However,due to lack of knowledge or less available information on the component or system,the epistemic uncertainties may be one of the challenging issues in importance evaluation.In addition,the properties of the aircraft system,which are the fundamentals of the component importance measure,including the hierarchy,dependency,randomness,and uncertainty,should be taken into consideration.To solve these problems,this paper proposes the component Uncertainty Integrated Importance Measure(component UIIM)which considers multiple epistemic uncertainties in the complex multi-state systems.The degradation process for the components is described by a Markov model,and the system reliability model is developed using the Markov hierarchal evidential network.The concept of integrated importance measure is then extended into component UIIM to evaluate the component criticality rather than the component state change criticality,from the perspective of system performance.A case study on displacement compensation hydraulic system is presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed uncertainty importance measure.The results show that the component UIIM can be an effective method for evaluating the component criticality from system performance perspective at the system early design.展开更多
Model checking is an automated formal verification method to verify whether epistemic multi-agent systems adhere to property specifications.Although there is an extensive literature on qualitative properties such as s...Model checking is an automated formal verification method to verify whether epistemic multi-agent systems adhere to property specifications.Although there is an extensive literature on qualitative properties such as safety and liveness,there is still a lack of quantitative and uncertain property verifications for these systems.In uncertain environments,agents must make judicious decisions based on subjective epistemic.To verify epistemic and measurable properties in multi-agent systems,this paper extends fuzzy computation tree logic by introducing epistemic modalities and proposing a new Fuzzy Computation Tree Logic of Knowledge(FCTLK).We represent fuzzy multi-agent systems as distributed knowledge bases with fuzzy epistemic interpreted systems.In addition,we provide a transformation algorithm from fuzzy epistemic interpreted systems to fuzzy Kripke structures,as well as transformation rules from FCTLK formulas to Fuzzy Computation Tree Logic(FCTL)formulas.Accordingly,we transform the FCTLK model checking problem into the FCTL model checking.This enables the verification of FCTLK formulas by using the fuzzy model checking algorithm of FCTL without additional computational overheads.Finally,we present correctness proofs and complexity analyses of the proposed algorithms.Additionally,we further illustrate the practical application of our approach through an example of a train control system.展开更多
In order to provide scientists with a computational methodology and some computational tools to program their epistemic processes in scientific discovery, we are establishing a novel programming paradigm, named ‘Epis...In order to provide scientists with a computational methodology and some computational tools to program their epistemic processes in scientific discovery, we are establishing a novel programming paradigm, named ‘Epistemic Programming’, which regards conditionals as the subject of computing, takes primary epistemic operations as basic operations of computing, and regards epistemic processes as the subject of programming. This paper presents our fundamental observations and assumptions on scientific discovery processes and their automation, research problems on modeling, automating, and programming epistemic processes, and an outline of our research project of Epistemic Programming.展开更多
In this paper, a systematic review of non-probabilistic reliability metrics is conducted to assist the selection of appropriate reliability metrics to model the influence of epistemic uncertainty. Five frequently used...In this paper, a systematic review of non-probabilistic reliability metrics is conducted to assist the selection of appropriate reliability metrics to model the influence of epistemic uncertainty. Five frequently used non-probabilistic reliability metrics are critically reviewed, i.e., evidence- theory-based reliability metrics, interval-analysis-based reliability metrics, fuzzy-interval-analysis- based reliability metrics, possibility-theory-based reliability metrics （posbist reliability） and uncertainty-theory-based reliability metrics （belief reliability）. It is pointed out that a qualified reli- ability metric that is able to consider the effect of epistemic uncertainty needs to （ 1 ） compensate the conservatism in the estimations of the component-level reliability metrics caused by epistemic uncertainty, and （2） satisfy the duality axiom, otherwise it might lead to paradoxical and confusing results in engineering applications. The five commonly used non-probabilistic reliability metrics are compared in terms of these two properties, and the comparison can serve as a basis for the selection of the appropriate reliability metrics.展开更多
In reliability engineering,the observations of the variables of interest are always limited due to cost or schedule constraints.Consequently,the epistemic uncertainty,which derives from lack of knowledge and informati...In reliability engineering,the observations of the variables of interest are always limited due to cost or schedule constraints.Consequently,the epistemic uncertainty,which derives from lack of knowledge and information,plays a vital influence on the reliability evaluation.Belief reliability is a new reliability metric that takes the impact of epistemic uncertainty into consideration and belief reliability distribution is fundamental to belief reliability application.This paper develops a new method called graduation formula to construct belief reliability distribution with limited observations.The developed method constructs the belief reliability distribution by determining the corresponding belief degrees of the observations.An algorithm is designed for the graduation formula as it is a set of transcendental equations,which is difficult to determine the analytical solution.The developed method and the proposed algorithm are illustrated by two numerical examples to show their efficiency and future application.展开更多
For structural systems with both epistemic and aleatory uncertainties, research on quantifying the contribution of the epistemic and aleatory uncertainties to the failure probability of the systems is conducted. Based...For structural systems with both epistemic and aleatory uncertainties, research on quantifying the contribution of the epistemic and aleatory uncertainties to the failure probability of the systems is conducted. Based on the method of separating epistemic and aleatory uncertainties in a variable, the core idea of the research is firstly to establish a novel deterministic transition model for auxiliary variables, distribution parameters, random variables, failure probability, then to propose the improved importance sampling （IS） to solve the transition model. Furthermore, the distribution parameters and auxiliary variables are sampled simultaneously and independently;therefore, the inefficient sampling procedure with an＇＇inner-loop＇＇ for epistemic uncertainty and an＇＇outer-loop＇＇ for aleatory uncertainty in traditional methods is avoided. Since the proposed method combines the fast convergence of the proper estimates and searches failure samples in the interesting regions with high efficiency, the proposed method is more efficient than traditional methods for the variance-based failure probability sensitivity measures in the presence of epistemic and aleatory uncertainties. Two numerical examples and one engineering example are introduced for demonstrating the efficiency and precision of the proposed method for structural systems with both epistemic and aleatory uncertainties.展开更多
Fault tolerant technology has greatly improved the reliability of modern systems on one hand and makes their failure mechanisms more complex on the other.The characteristics of dynamics of failure,diversity of distrib...Fault tolerant technology has greatly improved the reliability of modern systems on one hand and makes their failure mechanisms more complex on the other.The characteristics of dynamics of failure,diversity of distribution and epistemic uncertainty always exist in these systems,which increase the challenges in the reliability assessment of these systems significantly.This paper presents a novel reliability analysis framework for complex systems within which the failure rates of components are expressed in interval numbers.Specifically,it uses a dynamic fault tree(DFT)to model the dynamic fault behaviors and copes with the epistemic uncertainty using Dempster-Shafer(D-S)theory and interval numbers.Furthermore,an approach is presented to convert a DFT into a dynamic evidential network(DEN)to calculate the reliability parameters.Additionally,a sorting method based on the possibility degree is proposed to rank the importance of components represented by interval numbers in order to obtain the most critical components,which can be used to provide the guidance for system design,maintenance planning and fault diagnosis.Finally,a numerical example is provided to illustrate the availability and efficiency of the proposed method.展开更多
Owing to the increase in unprecedented accidents with new root causes in almost all operational areas, the importance of risk management has dramatically risen. Risk assessment, one of the most significant aspects of ...Owing to the increase in unprecedented accidents with new root causes in almost all operational areas, the importance of risk management has dramatically risen. Risk assessment, one of the most significant aspects of risk management, has a substantial impact on the system-safety level of organizations, industries, and operations. If the causes of all kinds of failure and the interactions between them are considered, effective risk assessment can be highly accurate. A combination of traditional risk assessment approaches and modern scientific probability methods can help in realizing better quantitative risk assessment methods. Most researchers face the problem of minimal field data with respect to the probability and frequency of each failure. Because of this limitation in the availability of epistemic knowledge, it is important to conduct epistemic estimations by applying the Bayesian theory for identifying plausible outcomes. In this paper, we propose an algorithm and demonstrate its application in a case study for a light-weight lifting operation in the Persian Gulf of Iran. First, we identify potential accident scenarios and present them in an event tree format. Next, excluding human error, we use the event tree to roughly estimate the prior probability of other hazard-promoting factors using a minimal amount of field data. We then use the Success Likelihood Index Method(SLIM) to calculate the probability of human error. On the basis of the proposed event tree, we use the Bayesian network of the provided scenarios to compensate for the lack of data. Finally, we determine the resulting probability of each event based on its evidence in the epistemic estimation format by building on two Bayesian network types: the probability of hazard promotion factors and the Bayesian theory. The study results indicate that despite the lack of available information on the operation of floating objects, a satisfactory result can be achieved using epistemic data.展开更多
Aims:The joint dynamics of knowledge(of patients,health professionals,decision-makers,researchers)and of the powers(of speech and action,asymmetries,and hierarchies established between individuals and their knowledge)...Aims:The joint dynamics of knowledge(of patients,health professionals,decision-makers,researchers)and of the powers(of speech and action,asymmetries,and hierarchies established between individuals and their knowledge)of the people who carry them at the heart of the PHIR,are analyzed from the perspective of the management of epistemic inequalities.We study the nature of knowledge sharing or non-sharing between these different categories of agents involved in health interventions.Procedure:The qualitative methodology is based on 36 interviews and six years of ethnographic observations of the TPE program(design or implementation),as well as steering committees and workshops of the PHIR where researchers,decisionmakers,health professionals,and patients share their experiences and knowledge.Results:The research highlights three major theoretical and methodological issues of PHIR concerning epistemic inequalities.We argue for broadening the spectrum of health expertise(researchers,decision-makers,health professionals,patients)and for their pluralization.To account for the nature and evolution of collaborations,it is necessary to closely study the dynamics of the avenues of coordination between these fields of expertise.Finally,we call to identify the resources(knowledge,values,material elements,etc.)and strengths that enable these hybrid groups to bind(or not)and to potentially generate co-learning.Conclusion:Considering these three major issues allows PHIR to reflect and take action to reduce inequalities by linking epistemic and social issues.展开更多
This article summarizes the collaboration between two historians of medicine on Sino-European medical exchanges.Gianna Pomata researches the history of medicine in early modern Europe and Marta Hanson researches the h...This article summarizes the collaboration between two historians of medicine on Sino-European medical exchanges.Gianna Pomata researches the history of medicine in early modern Europe and Marta Hanson researches the history of medicine in early modern China.The following covers the concept of epistemic genres that Pomata first developed out of her research on the history of the genres historia,observationes,recipes,medical cases,and the commentary in Europe.She connected these genres variously to empiricism,erudition,scientific observation,norm-making,and recording practice.The paper then evaluates how Pomata and Hanson used epistemic genres as a method for doing cross-cultural research on 17th-18th-century Sino-European medical exchanges.Pomata then wrote a comparative history of the medical case in Europe and China.The article concludes with how Hanson applied the distinction of epistemic genres to analyze the history of Chinese medicine from a new perspective.展开更多
This paper takes an integrative approach to the communication and comprehension of humor from the perspectives of the humorist’s manipulation and the recipient’s vigilance informed by relevance theory.It is proposed...This paper takes an integrative approach to the communication and comprehension of humor from the perspectives of the humorist’s manipulation and the recipient’s vigilance informed by relevance theory.It is proposed that,in order to communicate humor,the humorist manipulates the recipient’s expectation of relevance in the setup and in the punchline in two different but related ways:misleading and guiding.It is also proposed that,in order to comprehend and appreciate humor,the recipient exercises vigilance against his/her own shallow processing in the setup and exercises vigilance for special cognitive effects in the punchline.On this approach,humorous communication and comprehension is viewed as an interaction between manipulation and epistemic vigilance.Strategies of manipulation and vigilance are described,and some essential issues arising from the relevance-theoretic approach to humor are reconsidered with some implications drawn.This paper contributes to enhancing the explanatory power of relevance theory for the communication and comprehension of humor.展开更多
Satisficing control remains an important concept in decision making. In this paper, a new epistemic utility satisficing control theory is proposed for a new model of complex CMMO （ constrained multi-objective multi d...Satisficing control remains an important concept in decision making. In this paper, a new epistemic utility satisficing control theory is proposed for a new model of complex CMMO （ constrained multi-objective multi degree-of-freedom optimization） system. As well, an epistemic utility function is developed and used to adjust the feasible region of soft constraints. The theory proved in this paper indicates that the utility function not only expresses the subjectivity of the original satisfactory-degree function, but also takes the cost of searching for a solution into account. Thus, the satisfactory-degree function can be adjusted and its rationality can be validated. This theory contributes an analytical method to the inverse satisfactory optimization problem. The findings indicate that this theory has good convergence and outcomes desired for satisfactory-degree functions.展开更多
This study entails a first approach to epistemic modality in Woolf＇s essays. In particular, we will distinguish between assertive and non-assertive epistemic modality. Woolf uses assertive epistemic modality when tra...This study entails a first approach to epistemic modality in Woolf＇s essays. In particular, we will distinguish between assertive and non-assertive epistemic modality. Woolf uses assertive epistemic modality when transmitting her criticism to, sometimes, women＇s inferiority condition in history, revealing Woolf＇s more confident stance. These markers are different from those used in more ＂gentle＂ themes related to reviewing an author and her work. In this second case, non-assertive epistemic modality is more frequent. Being less harsh towards an author＇s surroundings and her literary production, Woolf＇s stance proves less self-assured. The corpus consists of 10 short essays. We also refer to her longer essays A Room of One＇s Own （1929） and Three Guineas 0938）. They were selected bearing in mind their subject-matter. Half of them deal with literature and women writers, their lives and works; the other half ones also have to do with women-related topics, but referring to their position in history and their difficulties to undertake, for example, a literary career. Some concluding remarks indicate the predominance of non-assertive epistemic modality in relation to an intersubjective reading of her texts. This reading favours the inclusion of her audience in her commentary about women writing.展开更多
Survival of organisms requires response to sense inputs and feedback. An intuitive picture or mental image of reality from sense experience is apparently structured from orthogonal and independent sense inputs in asso...Survival of organisms requires response to sense inputs and feedback. An intuitive picture or mental image of reality from sense experience is apparently structured from orthogonal and independent sense inputs in association with past memories. Such images are not necessarily visual but may have such qualities. Play of mind with information in mental images processed by molecular actors is guided with rules of reality to assure non-contradictory outcome of actions for successful behaviors （Rogers and Jain 1993）. Such functions have evolved to find food before becoming food, and fight or flight when in doubt. Shadows of ignorance that obscure mental images and associated states also have epistemic utility. Their success depends on learning from trials and errors to compensate for incomplete information and uncertainties with consideration of what could go wrong. Outcomes are also influenced by games played on mind by illusions, mistakes, surprises, ignorance. Loss of time, energy, and opportunity associated with ignored or misinterpreted information threaten survival. Equivocation, cynicism, wild goose chase, and vicious circle of sterile ideas encourage contradictory or inconsistent interpretations that compromise outcomes. Throughout the human history, ignorance of horsemen of apocalypse has unleashed havocs, perpetuated wars, epidemics, wrongful medical treatments, and economic disasters. What used to be crisis of ignorance has now become crisis of unintended consequences of inventions and other forms of knowledge. Ignorance of experts and head of states as horsemen of darkness brings misery to countless innocents. In Nay formalism, knowledge （gyan） is what knows with certainty （either as true or false）. Identifying uncertainties introduces doubt （syad） in what one knows. For finding ones way around lack of relevant evidence （agyan）, wisdom lies in recognition of ignorance and identifies problem to seek solution. Note that these states for propositions are not necessarily related by binary negations.展开更多
Previous studies interpreting the meanings of the sentence-final particle“LE”displayed two trends:either excessively complicated or excessively general.Since some scholars established a theoretical foundation of pro...Previous studies interpreting the meanings of the sentence-final particle“LE”displayed two trends:either excessively complicated or excessively general.Since some scholars established a theoretical foundation of propositional domain,epistemic domain and dialogic domain for the sentence-final particle“LE”,the nature or orientation of its semantic property has become more clear.However,there are also defects in the current“Three Domains”research model.In the first place,this model defines the meanings of the sentence-final particle“LE”as“emergence of new propositional content”,“emergence of new epistemic content”,and“emergence of new dialogic content”.But,the definition is excessively abstract and extensive.As many sentences not concluded with the particle“LE”can also express the three mentioned meanings,it fails to explain the difference between sentences ended with particle“LE”and ones without it.Secondly,the model fails to explore and discuss the nature or generation mechanism of relevant meanings of the particle“LE”.This study attempts to find a practical solution to those defects.展开更多
文摘Epistemic trust refers to the mental or intellectual bond between the Self and Others, which takes two forms. First, it concerns the participants' mutual trust that they share a common ground for understanding,communication and interpretation of their social reality. Second, it arises from the explicit awareness that the participants differ with respect to their understanding of their common ground and are willing to learn from an epistemic authority. Authority is a voluntary symbolic relation between the Self and Others. It contrasts with power, which refers to a relation of coercion that enforces obedience. The growing democratization of institutions and liberalization, as well as growing distrust of professionals, scientists and politicians, together with the emphasis on the rights of individuals and minority groups, has led to a crisis of authority.
基金supported by the steady supports scientific research of Key Laboratory of Defense Science and Technology,China(No.WDZC20220105)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.51775020,62073009,U20B2002)the Science Challenge Project,China(No.TZ2018007)。
文摘Thermal Protection System(TPS)with thick tiles,low thermal conductivity,and a short re-entry stage stands as a critical element within reusable aircraft,whose reliability is related to the function and changes with their physical properties,external conditions,and degradation.Meanwhile,due to the limitation of testing resources,epistemic uncertainties stemming from the small samples are present in TPS reliability modeling.However,current TPS reliability modeling methods face challenges in characterizing the relationships among reliability and physical properties,external conditions,degradation,and epistemic uncertainties.Therefore,under the framework of belief reliability theory,a TPS reliability model is constructed,which takes into account the physical principle,external conditions,performance degradation,and epistemic uncertainties.A reliability simulation algorithm is proposed to calculate TPS reliability.Through a case study and comparison analysis,the proposed method is validated as more effective than the existing method.Additionally,reliability sensitivity analysis is conducted to identify the sensitive factors of reliability under the condition of small samples,through which suggestions are provided for TPS functional design and improvement.
文摘This study explores the epistemic imperative to decolonize African education systems by centering indigenous philosophies such as Ubuntu and introducing the Ubuntu Pedagogy as a pedagogical model.Ubuntu pedagogy transforms teacher-learner relationships,it provides a replicable model for relational learning,community partnerships,and reassert the dignity of indigenous epistemologies.The paper examines how language,knowledge production,and pedagogy can be restructured to reflect African epistemologies and educational sovereignty.This research also explores the relationship between mother tongue instruction and cognitive access to learning.Through a qualitative literature analysis of case studies and African scholarly discourse,this paper highlights the continued marginalization of indigenous knowledge systems and the need to embed culturally relevant teaching methodologies.The findings support the broader question of whether there exists an epistemological base for knowledge independence or production within African and Afro-Diasporic contexts,revealing culturally coherent frameworks of learning that resist colonial dominance and an exploration of reclaiming African indigenous knowledge systems for educational and cultural sovereignty.
文摘As per conventional wisdom, scientists and the lay public differ in their epistemic abilities. Based on an analysis of a public debate on Pu'er tea, this paper emphasizes that there are differences between scientists and the lay public in their epistemic perspectives, including differences in attention, problem definition, criteria for judgement and reasoning. These perspectives may differ in degree and may switch or combine. This difference may explain the failure of communication between scientists and the general public. Thus, the success of such communication depends on overcoming the perspective paradox.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52375036,U2233212,52272409,62303030)Beijing Municipal Natural Science Foundation-Fengtai Rail Transit Frontier Research Joint Foundation,China(No.L221008)+1 种基金the fellowship of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2022M710305)the program of China Scholarship Council(Nos.202106020106,202306020133).
文摘Importance measures can be used to identify the vulnerable components in an aviation system at the early design stage.However,due to lack of knowledge or less available information on the component or system,the epistemic uncertainties may be one of the challenging issues in importance evaluation.In addition,the properties of the aircraft system,which are the fundamentals of the component importance measure,including the hierarchy,dependency,randomness,and uncertainty,should be taken into consideration.To solve these problems,this paper proposes the component Uncertainty Integrated Importance Measure(component UIIM)which considers multiple epistemic uncertainties in the complex multi-state systems.The degradation process for the components is described by a Markov model,and the system reliability model is developed using the Markov hierarchal evidential network.The concept of integrated importance measure is then extended into component UIIM to evaluate the component criticality rather than the component state change criticality,from the perspective of system performance.A case study on displacement compensation hydraulic system is presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed uncertainty importance measure.The results show that the component UIIM can be an effective method for evaluating the component criticality from system performance perspective at the system early design.
基金The work is partially supported by Natural Science Foundation of Ningxia(Grant No.AAC03300)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.61962001)Graduate Innovation Project of North Minzu University(Grant No.YCX23152).
文摘Model checking is an automated formal verification method to verify whether epistemic multi-agent systems adhere to property specifications.Although there is an extensive literature on qualitative properties such as safety and liveness,there is still a lack of quantitative and uncertain property verifications for these systems.In uncertain environments,agents must make judicious decisions based on subjective epistemic.To verify epistemic and measurable properties in multi-agent systems,this paper extends fuzzy computation tree logic by introducing epistemic modalities and proposing a new Fuzzy Computation Tree Logic of Knowledge(FCTLK).We represent fuzzy multi-agent systems as distributed knowledge bases with fuzzy epistemic interpreted systems.In addition,we provide a transformation algorithm from fuzzy epistemic interpreted systems to fuzzy Kripke structures,as well as transformation rules from FCTLK formulas to Fuzzy Computation Tree Logic(FCTL)formulas.Accordingly,we transform the FCTLK model checking problem into the FCTL model checking.This enables the verification of FCTLK formulas by using the fuzzy model checking algorithm of FCTL without additional computational overheads.Finally,we present correctness proofs and complexity analyses of the proposed algorithms.Additionally,we further illustrate the practical application of our approach through an example of a train control system.
基金Supported in part by The Ministry of EducationCulture+1 种基金SportsScience and Technology of Japan under Grant-in-Aid for Explor
文摘In order to provide scientists with a computational methodology and some computational tools to program their epistemic processes in scientific discovery, we are establishing a novel programming paradigm, named ‘Epistemic Programming’, which regards conditionals as the subject of computing, takes primary epistemic operations as basic operations of computing, and regards epistemic processes as the subject of programming. This paper presents our fundamental observations and assumptions on scientific discovery processes and their automation, research problems on modeling, automating, and programming epistemic processes, and an outline of our research project of Epistemic Programming.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.61573043)
文摘In this paper, a systematic review of non-probabilistic reliability metrics is conducted to assist the selection of appropriate reliability metrics to model the influence of epistemic uncertainty. Five frequently used non-probabilistic reliability metrics are critically reviewed, i.e., evidence- theory-based reliability metrics, interval-analysis-based reliability metrics, fuzzy-interval-analysis- based reliability metrics, possibility-theory-based reliability metrics （posbist reliability） and uncertainty-theory-based reliability metrics （belief reliability）. It is pointed out that a qualified reli- ability metric that is able to consider the effect of epistemic uncertainty needs to （ 1 ） compensate the conservatism in the estimations of the component-level reliability metrics caused by epistemic uncertainty, and （2） satisfy the duality axiom, otherwise it might lead to paradoxical and confusing results in engineering applications. The five commonly used non-probabilistic reliability metrics are compared in terms of these two properties, and the comparison can serve as a basis for the selection of the appropriate reliability metrics.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(6157304371671009).
文摘In reliability engineering,the observations of the variables of interest are always limited due to cost or schedule constraints.Consequently,the epistemic uncertainty,which derives from lack of knowledge and information,plays a vital influence on the reliability evaluation.Belief reliability is a new reliability metric that takes the impact of epistemic uncertainty into consideration and belief reliability distribution is fundamental to belief reliability application.This paper develops a new method called graduation formula to construct belief reliability distribution with limited observations.The developed method constructs the belief reliability distribution by determining the corresponding belief degrees of the observations.An algorithm is designed for the graduation formula as it is a set of transcendental equations,which is difficult to determine the analytical solution.The developed method and the proposed algorithm are illustrated by two numerical examples to show their efficiency and future application.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51175425)the Special Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China (No. 20116102110003)
文摘For structural systems with both epistemic and aleatory uncertainties, research on quantifying the contribution of the epistemic and aleatory uncertainties to the failure probability of the systems is conducted. Based on the method of separating epistemic and aleatory uncertainties in a variable, the core idea of the research is firstly to establish a novel deterministic transition model for auxiliary variables, distribution parameters, random variables, failure probability, then to propose the improved importance sampling （IS） to solve the transition model. Furthermore, the distribution parameters and auxiliary variables are sampled simultaneously and independently;therefore, the inefficient sampling procedure with an＇＇inner-loop＇＇ for epistemic uncertainty and an＇＇outer-loop＇＇ for aleatory uncertainty in traditional methods is avoided. Since the proposed method combines the fast convergence of the proper estimates and searches failure samples in the interesting regions with high efficiency, the proposed method is more efficient than traditional methods for the variance-based failure probability sensitivity measures in the presence of epistemic and aleatory uncertainties. Two numerical examples and one engineering example are introduced for demonstrating the efficiency and precision of the proposed method for structural systems with both epistemic and aleatory uncertainties.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(71461021)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province(20151BAB207044)+1 种基金the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2015M580568)the Postdoctoral Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province(2014KY36).
文摘Fault tolerant technology has greatly improved the reliability of modern systems on one hand and makes their failure mechanisms more complex on the other.The characteristics of dynamics of failure,diversity of distribution and epistemic uncertainty always exist in these systems,which increase the challenges in the reliability assessment of these systems significantly.This paper presents a novel reliability analysis framework for complex systems within which the failure rates of components are expressed in interval numbers.Specifically,it uses a dynamic fault tree(DFT)to model the dynamic fault behaviors and copes with the epistemic uncertainty using Dempster-Shafer(D-S)theory and interval numbers.Furthermore,an approach is presented to convert a DFT into a dynamic evidential network(DEN)to calculate the reliability parameters.Additionally,a sorting method based on the possibility degree is proposed to rank the importance of components represented by interval numbers in order to obtain the most critical components,which can be used to provide the guidance for system design,maintenance planning and fault diagnosis.Finally,a numerical example is provided to illustrate the availability and efficiency of the proposed method.
文摘Owing to the increase in unprecedented accidents with new root causes in almost all operational areas, the importance of risk management has dramatically risen. Risk assessment, one of the most significant aspects of risk management, has a substantial impact on the system-safety level of organizations, industries, and operations. If the causes of all kinds of failure and the interactions between them are considered, effective risk assessment can be highly accurate. A combination of traditional risk assessment approaches and modern scientific probability methods can help in realizing better quantitative risk assessment methods. Most researchers face the problem of minimal field data with respect to the probability and frequency of each failure. Because of this limitation in the availability of epistemic knowledge, it is important to conduct epistemic estimations by applying the Bayesian theory for identifying plausible outcomes. In this paper, we propose an algorithm and demonstrate its application in a case study for a light-weight lifting operation in the Persian Gulf of Iran. First, we identify potential accident scenarios and present them in an event tree format. Next, excluding human error, we use the event tree to roughly estimate the prior probability of other hazard-promoting factors using a minimal amount of field data. We then use the Success Likelihood Index Method(SLIM) to calculate the probability of human error. On the basis of the proposed event tree, we use the Bayesian network of the provided scenarios to compensate for the lack of data. Finally, we determine the resulting probability of each event based on its evidence in the epistemic estimation format by building on two Bayesian network types: the probability of hazard promotion factors and the Bayesian theory. The study results indicate that despite the lack of available information on the operation of floating objects, a satisfactory result can be achieved using epistemic data.
文摘Aims:The joint dynamics of knowledge(of patients,health professionals,decision-makers,researchers)and of the powers(of speech and action,asymmetries,and hierarchies established between individuals and their knowledge)of the people who carry them at the heart of the PHIR,are analyzed from the perspective of the management of epistemic inequalities.We study the nature of knowledge sharing or non-sharing between these different categories of agents involved in health interventions.Procedure:The qualitative methodology is based on 36 interviews and six years of ethnographic observations of the TPE program(design or implementation),as well as steering committees and workshops of the PHIR where researchers,decisionmakers,health professionals,and patients share their experiences and knowledge.Results:The research highlights three major theoretical and methodological issues of PHIR concerning epistemic inequalities.We argue for broadening the spectrum of health expertise(researchers,decision-makers,health professionals,patients)and for their pluralization.To account for the nature and evolution of collaborations,it is necessary to closely study the dynamics of the avenues of coordination between these fields of expertise.Finally,we call to identify the resources(knowledge,values,material elements,etc.)and strengths that enable these hybrid groups to bind(or not)and to potentially generate co-learning.Conclusion:Considering these three major issues allows PHIR to reflect and take action to reduce inequalities by linking epistemic and social issues.
基金Max Planck Institute for the History of Science,Berlin,Germany。
文摘This article summarizes the collaboration between two historians of medicine on Sino-European medical exchanges.Gianna Pomata researches the history of medicine in early modern Europe and Marta Hanson researches the history of medicine in early modern China.The following covers the concept of epistemic genres that Pomata first developed out of her research on the history of the genres historia,observationes,recipes,medical cases,and the commentary in Europe.She connected these genres variously to empiricism,erudition,scientific observation,norm-making,and recording practice.The paper then evaluates how Pomata and Hanson used epistemic genres as a method for doing cross-cultural research on 17th-18th-century Sino-European medical exchanges.Pomata then wrote a comparative history of the medical case in Europe and China.The article concludes with how Hanson applied the distinction of epistemic genres to analyze the history of Chinese medicine from a new perspective.
文摘This paper takes an integrative approach to the communication and comprehension of humor from the perspectives of the humorist’s manipulation and the recipient’s vigilance informed by relevance theory.It is proposed that,in order to communicate humor,the humorist manipulates the recipient’s expectation of relevance in the setup and in the punchline in two different but related ways:misleading and guiding.It is also proposed that,in order to comprehend and appreciate humor,the recipient exercises vigilance against his/her own shallow processing in the setup and exercises vigilance for special cognitive effects in the punchline.On this approach,humorous communication and comprehension is viewed as an interaction between manipulation and epistemic vigilance.Strategies of manipulation and vigilance are described,and some essential issues arising from the relevance-theoretic approach to humor are reconsidered with some implications drawn.This paper contributes to enhancing the explanatory power of relevance theory for the communication and comprehension of humor.
文摘Satisficing control remains an important concept in decision making. In this paper, a new epistemic utility satisficing control theory is proposed for a new model of complex CMMO （ constrained multi-objective multi degree-of-freedom optimization） system. As well, an epistemic utility function is developed and used to adjust the feasible region of soft constraints. The theory proved in this paper indicates that the utility function not only expresses the subjectivity of the original satisfactory-degree function, but also takes the cost of searching for a solution into account. Thus, the satisfactory-degree function can be adjusted and its rationality can be validated. This theory contributes an analytical method to the inverse satisfactory optimization problem. The findings indicate that this theory has good convergence and outcomes desired for satisfactory-degree functions.
文摘This study entails a first approach to epistemic modality in Woolf＇s essays. In particular, we will distinguish between assertive and non-assertive epistemic modality. Woolf uses assertive epistemic modality when transmitting her criticism to, sometimes, women＇s inferiority condition in history, revealing Woolf＇s more confident stance. These markers are different from those used in more ＂gentle＂ themes related to reviewing an author and her work. In this second case, non-assertive epistemic modality is more frequent. Being less harsh towards an author＇s surroundings and her literary production, Woolf＇s stance proves less self-assured. The corpus consists of 10 short essays. We also refer to her longer essays A Room of One＇s Own （1929） and Three Guineas 0938）. They were selected bearing in mind their subject-matter. Half of them deal with literature and women writers, their lives and works; the other half ones also have to do with women-related topics, but referring to their position in history and their difficulties to undertake, for example, a literary career. Some concluding remarks indicate the predominance of non-assertive epistemic modality in relation to an intersubjective reading of her texts. This reading favours the inclusion of her audience in her commentary about women writing.
文摘Survival of organisms requires response to sense inputs and feedback. An intuitive picture or mental image of reality from sense experience is apparently structured from orthogonal and independent sense inputs in association with past memories. Such images are not necessarily visual but may have such qualities. Play of mind with information in mental images processed by molecular actors is guided with rules of reality to assure non-contradictory outcome of actions for successful behaviors （Rogers and Jain 1993）. Such functions have evolved to find food before becoming food, and fight or flight when in doubt. Shadows of ignorance that obscure mental images and associated states also have epistemic utility. Their success depends on learning from trials and errors to compensate for incomplete information and uncertainties with consideration of what could go wrong. Outcomes are also influenced by games played on mind by illusions, mistakes, surprises, ignorance. Loss of time, energy, and opportunity associated with ignored or misinterpreted information threaten survival. Equivocation, cynicism, wild goose chase, and vicious circle of sterile ideas encourage contradictory or inconsistent interpretations that compromise outcomes. Throughout the human history, ignorance of horsemen of apocalypse has unleashed havocs, perpetuated wars, epidemics, wrongful medical treatments, and economic disasters. What used to be crisis of ignorance has now become crisis of unintended consequences of inventions and other forms of knowledge. Ignorance of experts and head of states as horsemen of darkness brings misery to countless innocents. In Nay formalism, knowledge （gyan） is what knows with certainty （either as true or false）. Identifying uncertainties introduces doubt （syad） in what one knows. For finding ones way around lack of relevant evidence （agyan）, wisdom lies in recognition of ignorance and identifies problem to seek solution. Note that these states for propositions are not necessarily related by binary negations.
文摘Previous studies interpreting the meanings of the sentence-final particle“LE”displayed two trends:either excessively complicated or excessively general.Since some scholars established a theoretical foundation of propositional domain,epistemic domain and dialogic domain for the sentence-final particle“LE”,the nature or orientation of its semantic property has become more clear.However,there are also defects in the current“Three Domains”research model.In the first place,this model defines the meanings of the sentence-final particle“LE”as“emergence of new propositional content”,“emergence of new epistemic content”,and“emergence of new dialogic content”.But,the definition is excessively abstract and extensive.As many sentences not concluded with the particle“LE”can also express the three mentioned meanings,it fails to explain the difference between sentences ended with particle“LE”and ones without it.Secondly,the model fails to explore and discuss the nature or generation mechanism of relevant meanings of the particle“LE”.This study attempts to find a practical solution to those defects.
