Why Question-Based Reasoning Leads to Constructive Approach to Knowledge

Authors

Olga Kosheleva, The University of Texas at El PasoFollow
Vladik Kreinovich, The University of Texas at El PasoFollow

Publication Date

1-1-2021

Comments

Technical Report: UTEP-CS-21-03

Published in International Mathematical Forum, 2021, Vol. 16, No. 1, pp. 23-27.

Abstract

Once we have partial knowledge, what next question do we usually pursue? Empirical study shows, e.g., that if we know that A \/ B is true, but we do not know whether A is true or B is true, then the usual next step is to ask whether A is true or B is true. This selection of the next step is in line with the constructive approach to knowledge, in which when A \/ B is true, this means that we either know that A is true, or we know that B is true. In this paper, we provide a possible explanation for this empirical selection of the future question-to-ask.