[sci.logic] Information about new book on knowledge representation

morgan@unix.SRI.COM (Morgan Kaufmann) (10/31/90)

Morgan Kaufmann Publishers announces a new title in its Series in
Representation and Reasoning (Ronald J. Brachman, Series Editor):

            REPRESENTATIONS OF COMMONSENSE KNOWLEDGE

                          Ernest Davis 
Courant Institute for Mathematical Sciences, New York University


A central goal of artificial intelligence is to give a computer
program commonsense understanding of basic domains such as time,
space, simple laws of nature, and simple facts about human minds.
Many different systems of representation and inference have been
developed for expressing such knowledge and reasoning with it.
Representations of Commonsense Knowledge is the first thorough
study of these techniques. 

The first three chapters of the book establish a general framework
in domain-independent terms, discussing methodology, deductive
logics, and  theories of plausible inference. Subsequent chapters
each deal with representations and inferences in specific domains:
quantities, time, space, physics, knowledge and belief, plans and
goals, and interactions among agents. The power of these
representations in expressing world knowledge and in supporting
significant inferences is analyzed using many detailed examples.
The discussion includes both representations that have been used
in successful AI programs and those that have been developed in
purely abstract settings.

Representations of Commonsense Knowledge is an essential reference
for AI researchers and developers.  It can also be used as a
textbook in advanced undergraduate or graduate courses.  Each
chapter contains exercises and suggestions for further reading.
Readers who have completed it will be prepared to read original
technical papers in the area and to begin their own work in
developing useful representations for AI programs.


July, 1990
ISBN 1-55860-033-7
515 pages, hardbound
Price: $42.95 (ordering information follows table of contents)

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                        Table of Contents

Preface
List of Tables
List of Figures
List of Named Axioms

Chapter 1 -- Automating Commonsense
               Knowledge Bases
               Methodology
               Implementation
               The Role of Natural Language
               The Role of Logic
               Incomplete and Uncertain Knowledge
               Vagueness
               Indexical
               Commonsense Reasoning in Artificial Intelligence
               Philosophy
               Mathematics and Commonsense Reasoning
               References

Chapter 2 -- Logic
               Logical Systems and Languages
               Propositional Calculus
               Predicate Calculus
                 Syntax of Predicate Calculus
                 Tarskian Semantics
                 Other Issues in First-Order Logic
               Standard First-Order Notations and Theories
               Operators on Sentences
               Extensional Operators
               Modal Logic
                 Possible-Worlds Semantics
                 Direct Use of Possible Worlds
                 Individuals and Modality
               Syntactic Theories
                  Strings
                  Paradoxes of Self-Reference
               Appendix A:  Natural Deduction
               References
               Exercises


Chapter 3 -- Plausible Reasoning

               Nonmonotonic Logic
                    Nonmonotonicity
                    Domain-Independent Rules
                    Circumscription
                    Default Theory
                    Preferred Models
               Classical Probability Theory 
                         Bayes's Formula
                         Possible-Worlds Semantics
               Statistical Inference
                         Frequency
                         Independence
                         Independent Evidence
                         Maximum Entropy
                         Sampling
                         Domain-Specific Knowledge
                         Conclusion
               References
               Exercises

Chapter 4 -- Quantities and Measurements
               Order
               Intervals
               Addition and Subtraction
               Real Valued Scales
               More Arithmetic
               Parameters; Signs; Monotonic Relations
               Derivatives
               Mode Transition Networks
               Qualitative Differential Equations
               Orders of Magnitude
               References
               Exercises

Chapter 5 -- Time
               Situations
               Events
               Temporal Reasoning:  Blocks World
               The Frame Problem and the Ramification Problem
               The Frame Problem as a Possible Inference
               Branching Time
               The STRIPS Representation
               Situation Calculus
               Real-Valued Time
               Complex States and Events
               Control Structures
               Modal Temporal Logic
               Tracking the present Moment
               References
               Exercises

Chapter 6 -- Space
               Spatial Inferences:  Examples 
                    Set Operations on Regions
                    Distance
                    Relative Positions
                    Containment and Fitting
                    Abutment and Overlapping
                    Motion
                    Surface Differential
                    Other Predicates    
               Knowledge Structures
                    Occupancy
                    Constructive Solid Geometry
                    Boundary Representation
                    Topological Route Maps
                    Configuration Spaces
                    The Roller Coaster
               Appendix A:  Coordinate Transformations
               Appendix B:  Going Through
               References
               Exercises

Chapter 7 -- Physics
               The Component Model
               Qualitative Process Theory
               Rigid Solid Objects
               Liquids
               Physical Agents
               References
               Exercises

Chapter 8 -- Minds
               Propositional Attitudes
               Belief
                    Axioms for Belief
                    Possible Worlds
                    Syntactic Formulation
               Degree of Belief
               Knowledge
               Knowing Whether and What
               Minds and Time
                    Situations and Possible Worlds
               Perceptions
               Realistic Models of Mind
               References
               Exercises

Chapter 9 -- Plans and Goals
               Plans as Sequences of Primitive Actions
                    TWEAK -- a Nonlinear Planner
               Extensions
               Plans and Goals as Mental States
                    Knowledge of Plans and Goals
                    Knowledge Needed for Plan Execution
                    Planning and Acting
                    Reactive Planning
                    Characteristic Goals
               References
               Exercises

Chapter 10 -- Society
               Common Knowledge
               Multiagent Plans
               Communication
                    Locutionary Descriptions
                    Illocutionary Speech Acts
                    Sample Verification of a Plan of Influence
               Ethics
               Possession
               Appendix A:  Conceptual Dependency
               References
               Exercises

Bibliography
Glossary
Index of Names
General Index

_________________________________________________________________

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Additional titles from the Morgan Kaufmann Series in Representation
and Reasoning:

Readings in Qualitative Reasoning About Physical Systems, edited
by Daniel S. Weld (University of Washington) and Johann de Kleer
(Xerox PARC)

Probabilistic Reasoning in Intelligent Systems: Networks of
Plausible Inference, by Judea Pearl (University of California, Los
Angeles)

Readings in Uncertain Reasoning, edited by Glenn Shafer (University
of Kansas) and Judea Pearl (University of California, Los Angeles)

Readings in Planning, edited by James Allen (University of
Rochester), James Hendler (University of Maryland) and Austin Tate
(Edinburgh University)