Author: SRI International

  • Donnellan’s Distinction As An Adequacy Test For A Referring Model

    In this paper, I provide an analysis of the cognitive structures that underlie referential and attributive uses of definite descriptions.  This endeavor should be worthwhile in an of itself, but it is also intended here ad a means toward another end.  As we shall see, this analysis of Donnellan’s distinction represents and initial step toward…

  • The Descriptive Approach To Reference: Why It Is Difficult To Work With, and Why We Have To

    The problem of reference is to determine how thoughts and sentences can be about objects.  In searching for a more precise formulation, we may start by identifying four elements that can be found in every linguistic event in which reference is made to a particular object, and that correspond to the four entities discussed above.

  • Methodological Notes On A Computational Model Of Referring

    The act of referring is performed through the use and interpretation of noun phrases in a conversation.

  • On Cheeseman: A response to Peter Cheeseman’s `An Inquiry into Computer Understanding’

    Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence Center, AIC

  • Localized Event-Based Reasoning For Multiagent Domains

    This paper presents the GEM concurrency model and GEMPLAN, a multiagent planner based on this model. Unlike standard state-based AI representations, GEM is unique in its explicit emphasis on events and domain structure. In particular, a world domain is modeled as a set of regions composed of interrelated events. Event-based temporal logic constraints are then…

  • A Commentary on Bogdan’s `Information and Semantic Cognition’

    Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence Center, AIC

  • Review of `Structured Meanings: The Semantics of Propositional Attitudes’

    Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence Center, AIC

  • Local Pragmatics

    The outline of a unified theory of local pragmatics phenomena is presented, including an approach to the problems of reference resolution, metonymy, and interpreting nominal compounds. The TACITUS computer system embodying this theory is also described. The theory and system are based on the use of a theorem prover to draw the appropriate inferences from…

  • Localizing Expression Of Ambiguity

    In this paper we describe an implemented program for localizing the expression of many types of syntactic ambiguity, in the logical forms of sentences, in a manner convenient for subsequent inferential processing. Among the types of ambiguities handled are prepositional phrases, very compound nominals, adverbials, relative clauses, and preposed prepositional phrases. The algorithm we use…

  • The Core Knowledge System

    This document contains an in-depth description of the Core Knowledge System (CKS)–an integrative environment for the many functions that must be performed by sensor-based autonomous and semi-autonomous systems. The CKS itself has been designed to support a wide variety of potential applications. However, special attention has been given to assuring its relevance to a particular…

  • Review of `Structured Meanings: The Semantics of Propositional Attitudes’

    Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence Center, AIC

  • On McDermott’s First Critique

    The first question to be answered is, What is logicism?’ McDermott outlines the logicist position as follows…