EGanges
Encyclopedia
eGanges is an expert system shell, mainly for the domains of law
, quality control
management, and education
. It represents and processes systems of mixed hypothetical and categorical syllogism
s, no matter how large and complex. The hypothetical premises or rule systems are represented in River graphics that are tributary structures like Ishikawa diagram
s that may be nested to any depth required by the expertise.
Instructions on the user’s categorical premises are received as input when answers are given to questions in the communication system of the interface. Each antecedent
and consequent
in the rule system is represented as a node in the River graphic, and each node has a question with three alternative answers: positive, negative and uncertain. As answers are selected by the user, their node labels appear as feedback in the appropriate adversarial case window and the Current result is available in the Current result window if the Current result button is pressed.
The answers are alternate three values and there is a fourth value, unanswered, allowed in the combinatoric deductive processing, where the user does not select an answer. Thus the process simulates the application of a four value logic. Its heuristics incorporate expert priorities in conjunctions
and disjunctions
, in determining pro tem and Final consequents throughout a consultation.
Each node may also be glossed in different ways. A spectrum gloss is available to represent inductive instances that fall into the three categories of positive, negative and uncertain, as data to assist the selection of answers. Abductive glosses may take free form as text providing justification or reasons for a rule or part thereof. There may also be gloss links to other programs or websites that provide further understanding of the rule system and what input should be given by the user.
Dr Pamela N. Gray designed eGanges in 2002 as part of her doctoral work . Subsequently, the design was programmed by her son, Xenogene Gray, who is a computational physicist. The software was first presented at the JURIX Conference
at Utrecht University in 2003. A small eGanges applet in the field of finance law can be trialled at:
http://www.grayske.com/FinLawTrial/index.html
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
, quality control
Quality control
Quality control, or QC for short, is a process by which entities review the quality of all factors involved in production. This approach places an emphasis on three aspects:...
management, and education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
. It represents and processes systems of mixed hypothetical and categorical syllogism
Syllogism
A syllogism is a kind of logical argument in which one proposition is inferred from two or more others of a certain form...
s, no matter how large and complex. The hypothetical premises or rule systems are represented in River graphics that are tributary structures like Ishikawa diagram
Ishikawa diagram
Ishikawa diagrams are causal diagrams that show the causes of a certain event -- created by Kaoru Ishikawa . Common uses of the Ishikawa diagram are product design and quality defect prevention, to identify potential factors causing an overall effect...
s that may be nested to any depth required by the expertise.
Instructions on the user’s categorical premises are received as input when answers are given to questions in the communication system of the interface. Each antecedent
Antecedent (logic)
An antecedent is the first half of a hypothetical proposition.Examples:* If P, then Q.This is a nonlogical formulation of a hypothetical proposition...
and consequent
Consequent
A consequent is the second half of a hypothetical proposition. In the standard form of such a proposition, it is the part that follows "then".Examples:* If P, then Q.Q is the consequent of this hypothetical proposition....
in the rule system is represented as a node in the River graphic, and each node has a question with three alternative answers: positive, negative and uncertain. As answers are selected by the user, their node labels appear as feedback in the appropriate adversarial case window and the Current result is available in the Current result window if the Current result button is pressed.
The answers are alternate three values and there is a fourth value, unanswered, allowed in the combinatoric deductive processing, where the user does not select an answer. Thus the process simulates the application of a four value logic. Its heuristics incorporate expert priorities in conjunctions
Logical conjunction
In logic and mathematics, a two-place logical operator and, also known as logical conjunction, results in true if both of its operands are true, otherwise the value of false....
and disjunctions
Logical disjunction
In logic and mathematics, a two-place logical connective or, is a logical disjunction, also known as inclusive disjunction or alternation, that results in true whenever one or more of its operands are true. E.g. in this context, "A or B" is true if A is true, or if B is true, or if both A and B are...
, in determining pro tem and Final consequents throughout a consultation.
Each node may also be glossed in different ways. A spectrum gloss is available to represent inductive instances that fall into the three categories of positive, negative and uncertain, as data to assist the selection of answers. Abductive glosses may take free form as text providing justification or reasons for a rule or part thereof. There may also be gloss links to other programs or websites that provide further understanding of the rule system and what input should be given by the user.
Dr Pamela N. Gray designed eGanges in 2002 as part of her doctoral work . Subsequently, the design was programmed by her son, Xenogene Gray, who is a computational physicist. The software was first presented at the JURIX Conference
JURIX
JURIX is a foundation based in the Netherlands that deals with legal subjects in relation to information technology and especially interconnects computer and legal scientists from that country. It is known for organizing the so called open and international JURIX conferences that are held annually...
at Utrecht University in 2003. A small eGanges applet in the field of finance law can be trialled at:
http://www.grayske.com/FinLawTrial/index.html