Formal fuzzy logic

Template:TOC-right Formal fuzzy logic, or "fuzzy logic in narrow sense", is a relatively new chapter of formal logic. Its aim is to represent predicates which are vague in nature as big, near, or similar (for example), and to formalize the reasonings involving these predicates. The notion of a fuzzy subset, proposed by L. A. Zadeh, plays a crucial role, since a vague predicate is interpreted by a fuzzy subset. In the sequel, we will write "fuzzy logic" instead of "formal fuzzy logic", but notice that in literature the name "fuzzy logic" comprises a large series of topics based on the notion of a fuzzy subset and which are usually devoted to applications.

More precisely, we can consider fuzzy logic as an evolution and an enlargement of multi-valued logic. Indeed, all the multi-valued logics defined in literature are also considered in fuzzy logic. Nevertheless, there are fuzzy logics such as similarity logic and necessity logic that are completely new topics and that have no truth-functional semantics. Moreover, fuzzy logic, as proposed by J. A. Goguen, J. Pavelka and many authors, is totally out of line with the tradition of multi-valued logic in the idea of deduction. Indeed, the notions of fuzzy inference rule and of approximate reasoning lead to define a deduction operator working on a fuzzy set of proper axioms (the available information) to give the corresponding fuzzy subset of consequences.

Fuzzy logics: the semantics

In the tradition of multi-valued logic, we obtain a semantics for a fuzzy logic by interpreting the logical connectives by suitable operations in [0,1]. As an example, if $,\wedge ,\Rightarrow ,\neg$ are the logical connectives, then in Lukasievicz logic the corresponding operations are defined by the equations

x $\otimes$ y = max{x+y-1,0}, x → y = max{1-x+y,1}, ~x = 1-x,

respectively. More in general, usually one assumes that $\otimes$ is a continuous triangular norm, i.e. a continuous, associative, commutative, order preserving operation in [0,1] such that x $\otimes$ 1 = 1 . Moreover, one defines → as the residuation operation, i.e. by setting x → y = sup{z | x $\otimes$z ≤ y}. Finally, $\neg$ is interpreted by the function ~ defined by setting ~x = x → 0 (see Hájek 1998, Novák et al. 1999 and Gottwald 2005). Several authors consider also logical constants to denote the rational truth values. Once an interpretation of the logical connectives is given, the semantics of the corresponding propositional calculus is defined in a truth-functional way as usual. The semantics of the corresponding first order fuzzy logic is defined by the notion of fuzzy interpretation.

Definition. A fuzzy interpretation of a first order language is a pair (D,I) such that D is a nonempty set and I a map associating

- every n-ary operation name h with an n-ary operation I(h) : Dⁿ → D,

- every constant c with an element I(c) in D

- every n-ary predicate name r with an n-ary fuzzy relation I(r) : Dⁿ → [0,1] in D.

Observe that the notion of fuzzy interpretation is defined as in classical logic. The only difference is that the interpretation of a n-ary predicate symbol is an n-ary fuzzy relation in D, i.e. a map r from $D^{n}$ to [0,1]. This enables us to represent properties which are "vague" in nature. Given a fuzzy interpretation we can evaluate the formulas as follows where, given a term t, we denote by $I(t)$ the corresponding function we define as in classical logic.

Definition. Given a fuzzy interpretation (D,I), a formula α whose free variables are in $\{x_{1},...x_{n}\}$ and $d_{1},...,d_{n}$ in D, we define the truth degree Val(I,α,$d_{1},...,d_{n})$ of α by induction on the complexity of α by setting

Val(I, $r(t_{1},...,t_{p}),d_{1},...,d_{n})=I(r)(I(t_{1})(d_{1},...,d_{n}),...,I(t_{p})(d_{1},...,d_{n}))$

Val(I,α$\wedge$ β,$d_{1},...,d_{n}$) = Val(I,α,$d_{1},...,d_{n})\otimes$ Val(I,β,$d_{1},...,d_{n})$

Val(I,α$\Rightarrow$β,$d_{1},...,d_{n}$) = Val(I,α,$d_{1},...,d_{n}$)→ Val(I,β,$d_{1},...,d_{n})$

Val(I,$\neg$ α,$d_{1},...,d_{n})$ = ~(Val(I,α,$d_{1},...,d_{n}))$

Val(I,$\exists$ x_i α,$d_{1},...,d_{n}$) = sup_{d$\in$ D}Val(I,α,$d_{1},...,d_{i-1},d,d_{i+1},...,d_{n})$.

As usual, if α is a closed formula, then its valuation does not depend on the elements $d_{1},...,d_{n}$ and we write Val(I,α) instead of Val(I,α,$d_{1},...,d_{n})$. More in general, given any formula α, we denote by Val(I,α), the valuation of the universal closure of α.

Now, in defining the semantical notions we can consider the traditional approach inerithed from multi-valued logic and the Pavelka-style approach which is a characteristic of fuzzy logic. We denote by F the set of formulas of the considered first order language and we call a theory any subset T of F.

Definition (Traditional approach). One says that a formula α is valid in a fuzzy interpretation (D,I) if Val(I,α) = 1. The formula α is logically true if it is valid in every fuzzy interpretation. Let T be a theory and α be a formula, then we say that (D,I) is a model of T is every formula in T is valid in (D,I). We write T $\models$ α if every model of T is also a model of α. In such a case we say that α is a logical consequence of T. The logical consequence operator is the map Lc : {0,1}^F → {0,1}^F defined by setting Lc(T) = {α$\in$ F: T $\models$α}.

Such an approach perhaps is not sufficiently close to the spirit of fuzzy logic. In fact the aim of any logic is to eleborate (uncomplete) information. In the case of fuzzy logic we the pieces of information we have are like "the truth values of α is greather or equal to λ", "the truth values of α is less that λ" and so on. In other word a piece of information is a constraint on the possible truth value of a formula. This sugests to consider the following definitions where a fuzzy theory is a fuzzy subset of formulas.

Definition (Pavelka's approach). Consider a fuzzy theory s. Then we say that a fuzzy interpretation (D,I) is a model of s, in brief (D,I) $\models$s if Val(I,α) ≥ s(α). The logical consequence operator is the map Lc : [0,1]^F → [0,1]^F defined by setting

Lc(s)(α) = Sup{Val(I,α) : (D,I) $\models$s}.

Then the meaning of a fuzzy theory s is that for every sentence α, the value s(α) is a constraint" on the unknown truth value of α. More precisely s(α) is a lower bound for such a value. Again, the value Lc(s)(α) is a "constraint" on the unknown truth value of α. As a matter of fact it is the better constraint we can find given the information s.

Note. We interpret a fuzzy theory s as a fuzzy subset of (proper) axioms. Now, the word "axiom" originates from the fact that formal logic was usually considered as a tool for mathematics. In the case of fuzzy logic, which is related with everyday experience, perhaps expressions as "hypothesis", "assumptions", "partial information", "postulate" are more adequate.

The deduction apparatus: approximate reasonings

In the traditional approach to fuzzy logic a deduction apparatus is devoted either to generate the set of logically true formulas (completeness theorem) or to calculate the logical consequence operator (extended completeness theorem). In both the cases, the resulting notions of compactness and effectivenes are not different from the classical ones. In Pavelka's approach a completeness theorem claims the the deduction apparatus is adequate to "calculate" the values of Lc(s) by an effective approximation process. To obtain such an apparatus, as an example we can extend the Hilbert's approach by giving a fuzzy subset of formulas la, we call fuzzy subset of logical axioms, and a set R of fuzzy inference rules. In turn, a fuzzy inference rule is a pair (sy,se) where sy, the syntactical part, is a partial n-ary operation in F (i.e. an inference rule in the usual sense) and se, the semantical part, is an n-ary operation in [0,1]. The meaning of an inference rule is:

- if we are able to prove $\alpha _{1},...,\alpha _{n}$ at degree $\lambda _{1},...,\lambda _{n}$, respectively

- and we can apply sy to $\alpha _{1},...,\alpha _{n}$

- then we can prove $sy(\alpha _{1},...,\alpha _{n})$ at degree $se(\lambda _{1},...,\lambda _{n})$.

Usually, sy(λ₁,...,λ_n) is a product like (λ₁$\otimes$...$\otimes$ λ_n). As an example, the fuzzy Modus Ponens is defined by assuming that the domain of sy is the set {(α, α→β: α,β are in F}, by setting sy(α, α→β) = β and by assuming that se(λ,μ) = λ$\otimes$μ. This rule says that if we are able to prove α and α →β at degree λ and μ, respectively, then we can prove β at degree λ$\otimes$μ. Likewise, the fuzzy $\land$-introduction rule is a totally defined rule such that sy(α,β) = α$\land$β and se(λ,μ) = λ$\otimes$μ. This rule says that if we are able to prove α and β at degree λ and μ, respectively, then we can prove α$\land$β at degree λ$\otimes$μ.

Definition. A proof π of a formula α is a sequence $\alpha _{1},...,\alpha _{m}$ of formulas such that $\alpha _{m}$= α, together with a sequence of related justifications. This means that, for every formula $\alpha _{i}$, we have to specify whether

i) $\alpha _{i}$ is assumed as a logical axiom or;

ii) $\alpha _{i}$ is assumed as an hypothesis or;

iii) $\alpha _{i}$ is obtained by a rule (in this case we have to indicate also the rule and the formulas from $\alpha _{1},...,\alpha _{i-1}$ used to obtain $\alpha _{i}$).

The justifications are necessary to valuate the proofs. Indeed, let s be the fuzzy subset of proper axioms and, for every i ≤ m denote by π(i) the proof $\alpha _{1},...,\alpha _{i}$. Then the valuation Val(π,s) of π with respect to s is defined by induction on m by setting

$Val(\pi ,s)=la(\alpha _{m})$ if $\alpha _{m}$ is assumed as a logical axiom

$Val(\pi ,s)=s(\alpha _{m})$ if $\alpha _{m}$ is assumed as an hypothesis

Val(π,s) = $se(Val(\pi (i_{1}),s),...,Val(\pi (i_{n}),s))$ if there is a fuzzy rule $(sy,se)$ such that $\alpha _{m}=sy(\alpha _{i(1)},...,\alpha _{i(n)})$ with i(1) < m,...,i(n) < m.

Now, unlike the crisp deduction systems, in a fuzzy deduction system different proofs of a same formula α may give different contributions to the degree of validity of α. This suggests setting

D(s)(α)= Sup{Val(π,s)| π is a proof of α}.

This formula defines an operator, the deduction operator, able to associate every fuzzy theory s with the fuzzy subset D(s) of formulas deduced from s.

Definition. A fuzzy logic is axiomatizable if there is a fuzzy deduction system such that Lc = D.

Notice that under some natural hypotheses, a fuzzy propositional logic is axiomatizable if and only if the logical connectives are interpreted by continuous functions (see Gerla 2001). As was shown in Hajek 1998, completeness results for first order fuzzy logic can be find if one adds a constant for every rational value in [0,1].

Paradoxes

The heap paradox

To show an example of reasoning in fuzzy logic we refer to the famous "heap paradox". Let n be a natural number and denote by Small(n) a sentence whose intended meaning is "a heap with n stones is small". Then it is natural to assume the validity of the atomic formula

(a) Small(1)

and, for every n, the validity of the atomic formulas

(b) Small(n) → Small(n+1).

On the other hand from these formulas we can prove that, given any natural number n, a heap with n stones is small. Indeed,

- from Small(1) and Small(1)→ Small(2) by MP we may state Small(2);

- from Small(2) and Small(2)→ Small(3) by MP we may state Small(3),

…

- from Small(n-1) and Small(n-1)→ Small(n) by MP we may state Small(n).

Obviously, a conclusion like Small(20.000) is contrary to our intuition in spite of the fact that the reasoning is correct and the premises appear very reasonable. Clearly, the core of such a paradox lies in the vagueness of the predicate " small" and therefore, as proposed by Goguen (1968/69), we can refer to the notion of approximate reasoning to face it. Indeed it is a fact that everyone is convinced that the implications Small(n)→Small(n+1) are near-true but not completely true, in general. We can try to "respect" this conviction by assigning to these formulas a truth value λ different from 1 (but very close to 1). Then, for example, we can express the hypothesis of the heap paradox by the following fuzzy theory

Small(1) [to degree 1]

Small(2) [to degree 1]

...

Small(10.000) [to degree 1]

Small(10.000)→ Small(10.001) [to degree λ]

Small(10.001)→ Small(10.002) [to degree λ]

...

In accordance, the Heap Paradox argument can be restated as follows where we denote by λ⁽ⁿ⁾ the n-power of λ with respect to $\otimes$.

Since Small(10.000) [to degree 1]

and Small(10.000)→ Small(10.001) [to degree λ]

we state Small(10.001) [to degree 1$\otimes$λ = λ⁽¹⁾]

since Small(10.001) [to degree λ]

and Small(10.001)→ Small(10.002) [to degree λ]

we state Small(10.002) [to degree λ$\otimes$λ = λ⁽²⁾ ]

. . .

since Small(10.000+n-1) [to degree λ^(n-1)]

and Small(10.000+n-1)→ Small(10.000+n) [to degree λ]

we state Small(10.000+n) [to degree λ^(n-1)$\otimes$λ = λ⁽ⁿ⁾].

In particular, we can prove Small(10.000+10.000) at degree λ^(10.000) . Now, this is not paradoxical. Indeed if $\otimes$ is the Lukasievicz triangular norm, then λ⁽ⁿ⁾ = max {nλ-n+1, 0}. As a consequence, we have that λ⁽ⁿ⁾ = 0 for every n ≥ 1/(1-λ). Assume that λ = 1-10^-4 then λ^(10.000) = 0. In this way we get a formal representation of heap argument preserving its intuitive content but avoiding its paradoxical character.

The Poincaré paradox

(to be included)

The liar paradox

(to be included)

Fuzzy logics with a truth-functional semantics

Rational Pavelka logic

(to be included)

Basic Fuzzy Logic

(to be included)

Fuzzy logic with no semantics

Necessity logic

This very simple fuzzy logic is obtained by an obvious fuzzyfication of first order classical logic. Indeed, assume, for example, that the deduction apparatus of classical first order logic is presented by a suitable set la of logical axioms, by the MP-rule and the Generalization rule and denote by $\vdash$ the related consequence relation. Then a fuzzy deduction system is obtained by considering as fuzzy subset of logical axioms the characteristic function of la and as fuzzy inference rules the extension of MP obtained by assuming that $\otimes$ is the minimum operator $\wedge$. Moreover, an extension of the Generalization rule is obtained by assuming that if we prove α at degree λ then we obtain $\forall$xα(x) at the same degree λ. Assume that D is the deduction operator of such a fuzzy logic and that s is a fuzzy theory. Then D(s)(α) = 1 for every logically true formula α and, otherwise,

$D(s)(\alpha )=Sup\{s(\alpha _{1})\wedge ...\wedge s(\alpha _{n}):\alpha _{1},...,\alpha _{n}\vdash \alpha \}$.

By recalling that the existential quantifier is interpreted by the supremum operator, such a formula arises from a multivalued valuation of the (metalogical) claim: "α is a consequence of the fuzzy subset s of axioms if there are formulas $\alpha _{1},...,\alpha _{n}$ in s able to prove $\alpha$"

It is apparent that in such a case the vagueness originates from s, i.e., from the notion of "hypothesis". Moreover $s(\alpha )$ is not a truth degree but rather a degree of "preference" or "acceptability" for $\alpha$. For example, let T be a system of axioms for set theory and assume that the choice axiom CA does not depend on T. Then we can consider the fuzzy subset of axioms s defined by setting

s(α) = 1 if α$\in$ T,

s(α) = 0.8 if α = CA ,

s(α) = 0 otherwise.

A simple calculation shows that:

D(s)(α) = 1 if α is a theorem of T,

D(s)(α) = 0.8 if we cannot prove α from T but α is a theorem of T + CA,

D(s)(α) = 0 otherwise .

Fuzziness in this case is not semantical in nature. Indeed, it is evident that the number $s(\alpha )$ is a degree of acceptability for $\alpha$ and not a truth degree. In this sense, by recalling the Euclidean distinction between axiom and postulate, perhaps it's better to say s is the fuzzy subset of the accepted postulates. Thus, despite the fact that no vague predicate is considered in set theory, in the metalanguage we can consider a vague predicate as "is acceptable" and to represent it by a suitable fuzzy subset s. Equivalently, we can interpret $s(\alpha )$ as the degree of preference for $\alpha$ since the only reason we assign to CA the degree 0.8 instead of 1 is that we do not like to use CA.

Similarity logic

In accordance with the ideas of M. S. Ying (1994) we can extend necessity logic by introducing a similarity relation among the predicates (see also Biacino, Gerla, Ying (2002)). As an example, consider an inference like

Since x is a thriller $\Rightarrow$ x good for me +

and b is a detective story +

and "detective story" is synonymous of "thriller"

then "b is good for me".

Now the synonymy is a vague notion we can represent by a suitable similarity e in the set W of English worlds, i.e. a fuzzy relation e such that

(a) e(x,x) = 1 (reflexivity), (b) e(x,z)$\otimes$ e(z,y) ≤ e(x,y) (transitivity), (c) e(x,y) = e(y,x) (symmetry).

Also, as it is usual in fuzzy logic, it is natural to admit that the truth degree of the conclusion "b is good for me" depends on the degree of similarity between the predicates "detective story" and "thriller", obviously. The structure of the corresponding fuzzy inference rule is:

If α was proven at degree λ

and α’→ β at degree μ

then β is proven at degree λ$\otimes$μ$\otimes$e(α,α’).

Every inference rule can be extended in a similar way, i.e. by relaxing the precise matching of the identity with the approximate matching of a similarity. These ideas are also on the basis for a similarity-based logic programming (see Formato, Gerla Sessa [2000]).

Fuzzy logic programming

(to be included)

Effectiveness

Effectiveness for fuzzy subsets

Notions as the ones of a "decidable subset" and a "recursively enumerable subset" are basic ones for classical logic. Then, the question of a suitable extension of such concepts for fuzzy logic arises. A first proposal in such a direction was made by E.S. Santos by the notions of fuzzy Turing machine, Markov normal fuzzy algorithm and fuzzy program. Successively, L. Biacino and G. Gerla proposed the following definition where Ü denotes the set of rational numbers in [0,1].

Definition A fuzzy subset s : S $\rightarrow$[0,1] of a set S is recursively enumerable if a recursive map h : S×N $\rightarrow$Ü exists such that, for every x in S, the function h(x,n) is increasing with respect to n and s(x) = lim h(x,n). We say that s is decidable if both s and its complement –s are recursively enumerable.

An extension of such a theory to the general case of the L-subsets is proposed in G. Gerla (2006) where one refers to the theory of effective domains. It is an open question to give supports for a Church thesis for fuzzy set theory claiming that the proposed notion of recursive enumerability for fuzzy subsets is the adequate one. To this aim, further investigations on the notions of fuzzy grammar and fuzzy Turing machine should be necessary (see for example Wiedermann's paper).

Effectiveness for fuzzy logic

Denote by Lt the set of logically true formulas, then it is possible to prove that among the usual first order logics only Goedel logic has a recursively enumerable set of valid formulas. In the case of Lukasiewicz and product logic, for example, Lt is not recursively enumerable (see B. Scarpellini (1962)). Such a fact was extensively examined in the book of Hajek. Neverthless, from these results we cannot conclude that these logics are not effective and therefore that an axiomatization is not possible. Indeed, if we refer to Pavelka's approach to fuzzy logic and to the just exposed notion of effectiveness for fuzzy sets, then the following theorem holds true. It is intended that we refer to fuzzy logics in which a completeness theorem holds true and whose deduction apparatus satisfies some obvious effectiveness property.

Theorem. Any axiomatizable fuzzy theory is recursively enumerable. In particular, the fuzzy set of logically true formulas is recursively enumerable in spite of the fact that Lt is not recursively enumerable, in general. Moreover, any axiomatizable and complete theory is decidable.

It is an open question to utilize the notion of recursively enumerable fuzzy subset to find an extension of Gödel’s theorems to fuzzy logic.

Is fuzzy logic a proper extension of classical logic ?

Obviously, the question of the connection between classical and fuzzy logic arises. Now, we can consider this question from two points of views. Firstly, in a fuzzy logics with a truth-functional semantics the interpretation of the logical connectives is conservative. This means that these interpretations coincide with the classical ones in the case we confine ourselves to truth values in {0,1}. So, in such a sense fuzzy logic is a conservative proper extension of classical logic. On the other hand fuzzy logic is defined by using elementary notions of mathematics and therefore it can be reduced to classical logic. From such a point of view, differently from intuitionistic logic, fuzzy logic does not expresses an alternative philosophy. Rather, it is an attempt to express the vagueness phenomena through classical mathematics and therefore through classical logic.

See also

• Fuzzy subalgebra
• Fuzzy associative matrix
• Fuzzy programming logic
• Fuzzy set
• Paradoxes
• Rough set
• Similarity logic
• Necessity logic
• MV-algebras
• Basic logic

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