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How to give it up: A survey of some formal aspects of the logic of theory change

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Abstract

The paper surveys some recent work on formal aspects of the logic of theory change. It begins with a general discussion of the intuitive processes of contraction and revision of a theory, and of differing strategies for their formal study. Specific work is then described, notably Gärdenfors' postulates for contraction and revision, maxichoice contraction and revision functions and the condition of orderliness, partial meet contraction and revision functions and the condition of relationality, and finally the operations of safe contraction and revision. Verifications and proofs are omitted, with references given to the literature, but definitions and principal results are presented with rigour, along with discussion of their significance.

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References

  1. Alchourrón, Carlos E. and David Makinson: 1981, ‘Hierarchies of regulations and their logic’, in R. Hilpinen (ed.),New Studies in Deontic Logic, D. Reidel, Dordrecht, pp. 125–148.

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  2. Alchourrón, Carlos E. and David Makinson: 1982, ‘On the logic of theory change: contraction functions and their associated revision functions’,Theoria 48, 14–37.

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  3. Alchourrón, Carlos E., Peter Gärdenfors and David Makinson: ‘On the logic of theory change: partial meet contraction and revision functions’, forthcoming.

  4. Alchourrón, Carlos E. and David Makinson: ‘On the logic of theory change: safe contraction and revision functions’, forthcoming.

  5. Gärdenfors, Peter: 1979, ‘Conditionals and changes of belief’, in I. Niiniluoto and R. Tuomela (eds.),The Logic and Epistemology of Scientific Change, Acta Philosophica Fennica 30, 1978, issues 2–4, North-Holland, Amsterdam.

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  6. Gärdenfors, Peter: 1982, ‘Rules for rational change of belief’, in T. Pauli (ed.),320311: Philosophical Essays Dedicated to Lennart Åqvist on his Fiftieth Birthday, University of Uppsala, Philosophical Studies no. 34, Uppsala.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Philosophy Department, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

    David Makinson

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  1. David Makinson
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Makinson, D. How to give it up: A survey of some formal aspects of the logic of theory change. Synthese 62, 347–363 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00869410

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00869410

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