Deductive belief dynamics: Theoretical foundations and experimental study of an argumentative model of the belief system

Identifier:  TDX:4473

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX4473

Authors:  Rivera Guajardo, Daniel

Abstract:
This thesis explores !he structure and function of belief systems in human cognilion, proposing a theoretical model to understand how beliefs are formed and modified. The human cognitive system naturally seeks to create a coherent and unified perception of the world, discarding contradictions where it can detect them. The formation and adaptalion of beliefs are accomplished through relationships of justification and refutation within a system that functions as an argumentative map, using inductive and deduclive inferences. lnductive inference processes inputs from the world to form stable schematic representations, supported by varying degrees of belief. The system stores these representations and general rules about the world as well as representations of specific facts. Validalion mechanisms, sensitive to content, idenlify contradictions and coherent relationships between new and pre-existing information. In !he argumentative structure of !he system, accepted information acts as premises and new information as conclusions. Deductive inference combines !he degrees of belief of these representations to maintain probabilistic consistency, a fundamental criterion for transferring the credibility of !he premises to the conclusions.