Foundations of O-theory I: the intersection rule
O-theory (OT) is a hybrid uncertainty theory which has been proposed for dealing with problems of uncertainty in logical inference. The foundations of one of the concepts of OT, the OT intersection operator, are explored in this paper. It is shown that a more fundamental basis for the OT rule is classical probability theory. Mass assignments in the Dempster-Shafer theory (DST) formalism are first reevaluated yielding a more basic relationship between masses and probabilities. These results are then used to show that the OT intersection rule can be derived from first principles in probability theory. A simpler axiomatic basis can then be used to establish this rule. It can, therefore, be used as alternative to Bayes' theorem for combining probabilistic belief consistently. Dempsters' rule will be shown to be a special case of the OT result. It too will be derived from probability theory axioms. 13 refs., 2 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 6138946
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL/TM-9983; ON: DE86008565
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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