AI research is being challenged with ensuring that autonomous agents learn to behave ethically, namely in alignment with moral values. Here, we propose a novel way of tackling the value alignment problem as a two-step process. The first step consists on formalising moral values and value aligned behaviour based on philosophical foundations. Our formalisation is compatible with the framework of (Multi-Objective) Reinforcement Learning, to ease the handling of an agent’s individual and ethical objectives. The second step consists in designing an (...) environment wherein an agent learns to behave ethically while pursuing its individual objective. We leverage on our theoretical results to introduce an algorithm that automates our two-step approach. In the cases where value-aligned behaviour is possible, our algorithm produces a learning environment for the agent wherein it will learn a value-aligned behaviour. (shrink)

In the context of solving large distributed constraint optimization problems, belief-propagation and incomplete inference algorithms are candidates of choice. However, in general, when the problem structure is very cyclic, these solution methods suffer from bad performance, due to non-convergence and many exchanged messages. As to improve performances of the MaxSum inference algorithm when solving cyclic constraint optimization problems, we propose here to take inspiration from the belief-propagation-guided decimation used to solve sparse random graphs. We propose the novel DeciMaxSum method, which (...) is parameterized in terms of policies to decide when to trigger decimation, which variables to decimate and which values to assign to decimated variables. Based on an empirical evaluation on a classical constraint optimization benchmarks, some of these combinations of policies, using periodic decimation, cycle detection-based decimation, parallel and non parallel decimation, random or deterministic variable selection and deterministic or random sampling for value selection, outperform state-of-the-art competitors in many settings. (shrink)

AI research is being challenged with ensuring that autonomous agents learn to behave ethically, namely in alignment with moral values. Here, we propose a novel way of tackling the value alignment problem as a two-step process. The first step consists on formalising moral values and value aligned behaviour based on philosophical foundations. Our formalisation is compatible with the framework of (Multi-Objective) Reinforcement Learning, to ease the handling of an agent’s individual and ethical objectives. The second step consists in designing an (...) environment wherein an agent learns to behave ethically while pursuing its individual objective. We leverage on our theoretical results to introduce an algorithm that automates our two-step approach. In the cases where value-aligned behaviour is possible, our algorithm produces a learning environment for the agent wherein it will learn a value-aligned behaviour. (shrink)

In this work, we focus on the problem of selecting low-level heuristics in a hyperheuristic approach with offline learning, for the solution of instances of different problem domains. The objective is to improve the performance of the offline hyperheuristic approach, identifying equivalence classes in a set of instances of different problems and selecting the best performing heuristics in each of them. A methodology is proposed as the first step of a set of instances of all problems, and the generic characteristics (...) of each instance and the performance of the heuristics in each one of them are considered to define the vectors of characteristics and make a grouping of classes. Metalearning with statistical tests is used to select the heuristics for each class. Finally, we used the Naive Bayes to test the set instances with k-fold cross-validation, and we compared all results statistically with the best-known values. In this research, the methodology was tested by applying it to the problems of capacitated vehicle routing and graph coloring. The experimental results show that the proposed methodology can improve the performance of the offline hyperheuristic approach, correctly identifying the classes of instances and applying the appropriate heuristics in each case. This is based on the statistical comparison of the results obtained with those of the state of the art of each instance. (shrink)

Tras una breve introducción en el fenómeno migratorio, el autor delimita los documentos sociales de la Iglesia a partir de los cuales realizará su estudio descriptivo y valorativo de las migraciones, apuntando sus dificultades, consecuencias y características. En un segundo momento, aborda sus principales causas y las actuaciones llevadas a cabo en el orden político-administrativo y eclesial. Por último, concluye reconociendo la fuerza de los argumentos bíblicos y de los emanados de la tradición cristiana a favor del reconocimiento de la (...) idéntica dignidad humana, la cual ha de situar al hombre en el centro de la política y la economía y no como el sub-producto de ningún sistema. (shrink)

The Air Quality Index (AQI) shows the state of air pollution in a unique and more understandable way. This work aims to forecast the AQI in Algeciras (Spain) 8 hours in advance. The AQI is calculated indirectly through the predicted concentrations of five pollutants (O3, NO2, CO, SO2 and PM10) to achieve this goal. Artificial neural networks (ANNs), sequence-to-sequence long short-term memory networks (LSTMs) and a newly proposed method combing a rolling window with the latter (LSTMNA) are employed as the (...) forecasting techniques. Besides, two input approaches are evaluated: using only the data from the own time series of the pollutant in the first case or adding exogenous variables in the second one. Several window sizes are employed (24, 28 and 72 hours) with ANNs and LSTMNAs. Additionally, several feature ranking methods are applied in the exogenous approach to select the most relevant lagged variables to feed the models. Results show how the proposed exogenous approach increases the performance of the prediction models. Besides, the newly proposed method LSTMNA provides the best performances in most of the cases evaluated. Hence, it constitutes an exciting alternative to standard LSTMs and ANNs to predict pollutants concentrations and, consequently, the AQI. (shrink)

This study aimed to analyze the levels of personal aggression and victimization, ethnic-cultural aggression and victimization, self-esteem, empathy, social skills and gender in adolescents as potential predictors of bullying in Spain and Ecuador. The wide pluricultural sample comprised Secondary Education students from both countries (N = 25190, average age = 13.92, SD = 1.306; NSpain = 14437; NEcuador = 10753), who took part in the study by filling in a self-report. The results revealed that predictive models of bullying for both (...) countries explain 50-70% of variance. A transnational predictive pattern of personal victimization can be observed based on the levels of ethnic-cultural victimization, ethnic-cultural aggression, personal aggression, self-deprecation and affective empathy. A transnational predictive pattern of personal aggression is evidenced depending on the levels of ethnic-cultural aggression, personal victimization, self-deprecation, ethnic-cultural victimization and the fact of being female. We concluded that bullying can largely be predicted by involvement in ethnic-cultural discrimination. These results are discussed, and educational inferences are drawn for prevention. (shrink)

In this paper a definition of n-valued system in the context of the algebraizable logics is proposed. We define and study the variety V3, showing that it is definitionally equivalent to the equivalent quasivariety semantics for the “Three-valued BCK-logic”. As a consequence we find an axiomatic definition of the above system.

In this paper we consider twelve classical laws of negation and study their relations in the context of BCK-algebras. A classification of the laws of negation is established and some characterizations are obtained. For example, using the concept of translation we obtain some characterizations of Hilbert algebras and commutative BCK-algebras with minimum. As a consequence we obtain a theorem relating those algebras to Boolean algebras.

In the paper we obtain a new characterization of the BCK-algebras which are subdirect product of BCK-chains. We give an axiomatic algebraizable extension of the BCK-calculus, by means of a recursively enumerable set of axioms, such that its equivalent algebraic semantics is definitionally equivalent to the quasivariety of BCK-algebras generated by the BCK-chains. We propose the concept of "linearization of a system" and we give some examples.

El fraile capuchino Antonio de Fuentelapeña escribió en 1676 El ente dilucidado, obra de filosofía escolástica en la que su autor pretende demostrar la existencia de duendes. Sin embargo, la crítica posterior juzgó como extravagancia y locura la obra, sin reparar en que sus argumentos escolásticos analizaron muchos temas filosóficos de extrema importancia, como la racionalidad de los animales, tan en boga hoy día gracias al estudio de la conducta animal comparada, la Etología.

In this paper an algebraic version for temporal algebras of the logical filtrations for modal and temporal logics is analysed. A structure theorem for free temporal algebras and also some results with regard to the variety of temporal algebras are obtained.

In this paper the structure of pretemporal algebra is used to study some aspects of temporal algebras and modal algebras. The paper contains a computational approach to finite temporal algebras and a general splitting theorem for finite temporal algebras.

Huescar presents a systematic critique of idealism and modernity, framing Edmund Husserl's phenomenological philosophy as the most refined and far-reaching version of idealism. Contents: Prologue / Julian Marias -- Pt. I. A Textual Exposition of Ortega's Critique of Idealism. Ch. 1. A Conceptual Introduction to Ortega's Critique of Idealism. Ch. 2. Ortega's Straightforward Critique of Idealism Properly So Called. Ch. 3. Ortega's Critique of Phenomenological Philosophy as the Most Recent Historical Form of Idealism -- Pt. II. Ortega's Overcoming of Idealism. (...) Toward the System of Life Categories. Ch. 4. The Categories of Life. (shrink)

Ensayos es el título de una pintura donde su autor se representa modalizando su “yo” como sujeto y tema. En esta misma operación se elabora una pintura de la humana condición, una moral. Se trata de responder a dos cuestiones: ¿cómo es posible en un autorretrato de tinta un estudio de los comportamientos del “hombre en general”? y ¿cómo es posible, para un autor del siglo XVI, construir una moral, que rebasa el nivel de las costumbres y las convenciones, sin (...) una representación comprensiva y, por ende, correlativa a su escepticismo? (shrink)

En el pensamiento de Foucault se encuentra la composición de una nueva noción de crítica, susceptible de aclarar la cuestión de las relaciones sujeto y verdad y la práctica de su propio pensamiento. La crítica puede leerse como modo de ser y como operador del pensamiento, y de un pensamiento que se toma en su existencia misma, no en «función de documento», sino en su «existencia de monumento», como práctica histórico-crítica. Interrogamos: si, para Foucault, no hay práctica alguna exterior a (...) la verdad, ¿el pensamiento es susceptible de definirse como práctica histórico-crítica de la verdad -de la «verdad-ritual»-? (shrink)

Montaigne compone una ética moderna definida por el ejercicio de su pensamiento autocritico que acompañado de un método filosófico aborda la construcción de sÍ mismo como una "manera" filosófica. Las reflexiones intentan responder simultáneamente a dos cuestiones: ¿cómo le es posible proveerse de una ética que le permita una existencia ordenada y sensata, cuando la condición humana está signada por el desorden y la extravagancia? ¿Cómo le es posible fundar una ética moderna -antes que Descartes- con una posición escéptica?

We define a multi-modal version of Computation Tree Logic (ctl) by extending the language with path quantifiers E δ and A δ where δ denotes one of finitely many dimensions, interpreted over Kripke structures with one total relation for each dimension. As expected, the logic is axiomatised by taking a copy of a ctl axiomatisation for each dimension. Completeness is proved by employing the completeness result for ctl to obtain a model along each dimension in turn. We also show that (...) the logic is decidable and that its satisfiability problem is no harder than the corresponding problem for ctl. We then demonstrate how Normative Systems can be conceived as a natural interpretation of such a multi-dimensional ctl logic. (shrink)

Este artigo retoma, numa versão revista e resumida, a apresentação da obra e do pensamento de José Esteves Pereira, elaborada para o Projeto Ensayo Hispánico da Universidade da Geórgia, coordenado por José Luís Gómez-Martínez. Encontra-se dividido em duas partes: uma breve introdução biobibliográfica e uma exposição das linhas principais da epistemologia da História das Ideias, segundo Esteves Pereira.

En este artículo presentamos las principales corrientes de la Filosofía Experimental y atendemos a una de las críticas más severas a la que se ha sometido este reciente programa de renovación metodológica. Según Antti Kauppinen la Filosofía Experimental está condenada al fracaso porque no puede obtener mediante sus métodos el tipo de intuiciones que interesan a los filósofos –las intuiciones robustas del hablante competente. Aun aceptando parte de las críticas de Kauppinen, en este artículo sostenemos, en primer lugar, que la (...) supuesta incapacidad de la Filosofía Experimental para acceder a las intuiciones robustas de los hablantes tiene que ver en gran medida con los métodos experimentales empleados hasta ahora por los filósofos experimentales. En segundo lugar, defendemos que el proyecto de reforma llevado a cabo desde la Filosofía Experimental resultará viable solo si se adoptan una serie de consejos metodológicos procedentes de la economía experimental. Únicamente entonces podrán los experimentalistas responder con éxito a la objeción de Kauppinen. (shrink)

Norms have been widely enacted in human and agent societies to regulate individuals’ actions. However, although legislators may have ethics in mind when establishing norms, moral values are only sometimes explicitly considered. This paper advances the state of the art by providing a method for selecting the norms to enact within a society that best aligns with the moral values of such a society. Our approach to aligning norms and values is grounded in the ethics literature. Specifically, from the literature’s (...) study of the relations between norms, actions, and values, we formally define how actions and values relate through the so-called value judgment function and how norms and values relate through the so-called norm promotion function. We show that both functions provide the means to compute value alignment for a set of norms. Moreover, we detail how to cast our decision-making problem as an optimisation problem: finding the norms that maximise value alignment. We also show how to solve our problem using off-the-shelf optimisation tools. Finally, we illustrate our approach with a specific case study on the European Value Study. (shrink)

We define a multi-modal version of Computation Tree Logic ( ctl ) by extending the language with path quantifiers E δ and A δ where δ denotes one of finitely many dimensions, interpreted over Kripke structures with one total relation for each dimension. As expected, the logic is axiomatised by taking a copy of a ctl axiomatisation for each dimension. Completeness is proved by employing the completeness result for ctl to obtain a model along each dimension in turn. We also (...) show that the logic is decidable and that its satisfiability problem is no harder than the corresponding problem for ctl. We then demonstrate how Normative Systems can be conceived as a natural interpretation of such a multi-dimensional ctl logic. (shrink)

Nowadays, the quality standards of higher education institutions pay special attention to the performance and evaluation of the students. Then, having a complete academic record of each student, such as number of attempts, average grade and so on, plays a key role. In this context, the existence of missing data, which can happen for different reasons, leads to affect adversely interesting future analysis. Therefore, the use of imputation techniques is presented as a helpful tool to estimate the value of missing (...) data. This work deals with the academic records of engineering students, in which imputation techniques are applied. More specifically, it is assessed and compared to the performance of the multivariate imputation by chained equations methodology, the adaptive assignation algorithm based on multivariate adaptive regression splines and a hybridization based on self-organisation maps with Mahalanobis distances and AAA algorithm. The results show that proposed methods obtain successfully results regardless the number of missing values, in general terms. (shrink)

We define a multi-modal version of Computation Tree Logic (CTL) by extending the language with path quantifiers $E^\delta $ and $E^\delta $ where δ denotes one of finitely many dimensions, interpreted over Kripke structures with one total relation for each dimension. As expected, the logic is axiomatised by taking a copy of a CTL axiomatisation for each dimension. Completeness is proved by employing the completeness result for CTL to obtain a model along each dimension in turn. We also show that (...) the logic is decidable and that its satisfiability problem is no harder than the corresponding problem for CTL. We then demonstrate how Normative Systems can be conceived as a natural interpretation of such a multi-dimensional CTL logic. (shrink)

In this research work we approach to the knowledge of undiagnosed diseases. These diseases are framed within the so-called rare diseases, because they are not frequent. They generate a series of conditions in the lives of the affected people and in their social relationships. This is the result of the semiotic break between the biological and the social code. This situation can force people with these diseases to be out of the social structure, and they also can be reduced their (...) capacity to make decisions. For this reason, it is necessary to develop semiotics bridges that connect the codes we have talked about. (shrink)

The removal of water from mines was one of the key issues that former miners had to deal with. Roman colonists brought new technology to the Iberian Peninsula that addressed this problem. However, they did not invent this technology because it had already been applied to the growth of other endeavours in the Hellenistic society throughout the Eastern Mediterranean. In the mine, the Archimedes screw, waterwheels, bucket pulleys, and Ctesibius pumps were the primary drainage systems. In this essay, the primary (...) characteristics, and modes of operation of machines are examined. Without leaving out the most significant finds made in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, one of the regions with the longest history of mining exploitation. To serve as a foundation for future research in this field, this work compares the primary mining mechanisms in ancient Huelva on a qualitative and quantitative level by the implementation of a TOPSIS methodology, a multi-criteria decision analysis method. (shrink)

This paper shows that, for a large range of parameters, the journal editor prefers to delegate the choice to review the manuscript to the biased referee. If the peer review process is informative and the review reports are costly for the reviewers, even biased referees with extreme scientific preferences may choose to become informed about the manuscript’s quality. On the contrary, if the review process is potentially informative but the reviewer reports are not costly for the referees, the biased reviewer (...) has no incentive to become informed about the manuscript. Furthermore, if the reports are costly for referees but the peer review processes are not potentially informative, the biased reviewers will never become informed. In this paper, we also present a web resource that helps editors to experiment with the review process as a device for information transmission. (shrink)

El objetivo de esta investigación, desarrollada en el contexto de educación virtual, fue mejorar las competencias investigativas de estudiantes universitarios. Este estudio cualitativo y de diseño investigación-acción se basó en un diagnóstico inicial con el que se identificó plagio académico, además de una autopercepción de nivel medio o bajo respecto de las habilidades investigativas de los alumnos. Durante la ejecución de las estrategias diseñadas, se aplicaron las técnicas de focus group y análisis documental de los ensayos estudiantiles. Se concluyó la (...) efectividad de las estrategias en la mejora de las competencias básicas, de búsqueda y análisis de información, y actitudinales. (shrink)

Desde un enfoque neuropsicológico, este estudio busca describir las operaciones cognitivas aplicadas durante la lectura. Este es un estudio de caso mixto, orientado a una muestra de 200 estudiantes de Enfermería. Para el recojo de información, se aplicó una prueba y un cuestionario de autopercepción lectora a los estudiantes; así como una guía de entrevista semiestructurada, dirigida a docentes. Entre los resultados, destaca que la velocidad lectora, la memoria y la atención impactan en el acto lector, además de las emociones (...) y los saberes previos. En conclusión, las operaciones cognitivas se vinculan directamente con los procesos asociados a la lectura. (shrink)