萨伽德科学理论评价的计算模型:从PI、ECHO到HOTCO的发展

Thagard’s Computational Models for Scientific Theory Evaluation:Developments from PI,ECHO to HOTCO

萨伽德注意到了计算机智能和人类智能的相似之处,他将人类思维比作计算机程序,将人类的思维结构比作数据结构,将人类的思维过程比作计算机算法,并研究运用计算机模型模拟科学理论评价的思维过程,他40年的科学哲学学术生涯编写了三个包含科学理论评价功能的计算机程序,分别是PI、ECHO和HOTCO,尽管这些程序受到过质疑,但是在人工智能热潮再度兴起的今天,弄清这三个程序的原理以及适用性对我们运用人工智能技术研究科学哲学问题依然有十分重要的借鉴意义。本文将对PI、ECHO和HOTCO这三个计算程序中关于科学理论评价方法和指标及其引发争论进行评述。

Thagard noticed the similarities of the computer intelligence and human intelligence.He compared the human mind to a computer program,compared the thinking structure of human beings to data structure,and compared the thinking process of human to computer algorithm.He used the computer model to simulate and research the thinking process of scientific theory evaluation.During 40 years’academic career,he had written three computer programs including PI,ECHO and HOTCO which contain the evaluation function of scientific theory.Although these programs have been questioned,it’s still very important to make clear the principle of the three programs and how we use artificial intelligence technology to study problems in the philosophy of science when the artificial intelligence rises again.This paper will discuss the evaluation methods and indicators of PI,ECHO and HOTCO,as well as their controversies.