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Re: [ontolog-forum] Self Interest Ontology

To: Rich Cooper <rich@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: "[ontolog-forum]" <ontolog-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
From: Pat Hayes <phayes@xxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2012 20:25:25 -0500
Message-id: <5B83A151-9C40-44AE-888F-C1BCAF2D9A58@xxxxxxx>

On Jun 7, 2012, at 7:06 PM, Rich Cooper wrote:    (01)

> Here is a quote from Marcus Hutter which I think is an excellent definition 
>of what it means to be an agent:    (02)

I hope you are joking. It is quite a good joke.    (03)

>  
> “”Solomonoff derived an optimal way of predicting
> future data, given previous perceptions, provided the data is sampled from a 
>computable probability distribution. AIXI extends this approach to an optimal 
>decision making agent embedded in an unknown environment. The main idea is to 
>replace the unknown environmental distribution μ in the Bellman equations by 
>a suitably generalized universal Solomonoff distribution . The state space is 
>the space of complete histories. AIXI is a universal theory without adjustable 
>parameters, making no assumptions about the environment except that it is 
>sampled from a computable distribution. From an algorithmic complexity 
>perspective, the AIXI model generalizes optimal passive universal induction to 
>the case of active agents.Solomonoff derived an optimal way of predicting 
>future data, given previous perceptions, provided the data is sampled from a 
>computable probability distribution. AIXI extends this approach to an optimal 
>decision making agent embedded in an unknown environment. The main idea is to 
>replace the unknown environmental distribution μ in the Bellman equations by 
>a suitably generalized universal Solomonoff distribution _. The state space is 
>the space of complete histories. AIXI is a universal theory without adjustable 
>parameters, making no assumptions about the environment except that it is 
>sampled from a computable distribution. From an algorithmic complexity 
>perspective, the AIXImodel generalizes optimal passive universal induction to 
>the case of active agents.”
>  
> Now that sounds like an implementable agent: an agent that could be emulated 
>in software completely. 
>  
> In our emerging self interest ontology, I believe we can define an agent in 
>one semantically precise sentence.  Perhaps the sentence :
>  
> “an agent pursues self interest as the agent herself defines it.”
>  
> will do the job.    (04)

Well, it has several flaws. Chielfy, it says nothing, Consider a rock lying on 
the ground, for example. This rock's self interest is to lie on the ground, and 
it is pursuing this successfully. We know that this is the rock's self interest 
since this is what the rock is doing, and if its self interest were something 
else then it would be doing that and not be doing this, by definition. Ergo, 
the rock is an agent. Similarly, every other thing in the uiniverse is an 
agent, and they are all pusuing their self-interest goals. Which is, of course, 
absolutely meaningless.    (05)

> Then we need a decision making engine just like the one AIXI emulates, or 
>perhaps other choices TBD. 
>  
> How is the plan doing so far?     (06)

I am rather late to this party, but why are we even talking about "self 
interest" ? Many, perhaps most, actions are taken by people not in their own 
self interest but from motives involving the interests of others. A theory of 
actions, separated from amy ideas about "self" interst, would seem like a 
better place to start.     (07)

Pat    (08)

>  
> Suggestions, corrections, critiques, dialogs, whatever very much appreciated. 
>  
> -Rich
>  
> Sincerely,
> Rich Cooper
> EnglishLogicKernel.com
> Rich AT EnglishLogicKernel DOT com
> 9 4 9 \ 5 2 5 - 5 7 1 2
> 
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