The Topological Structure of Question Theory

TL;DR

This paper models questions as topological structures on assertions, classifies them into three types, and discusses implications for machine intelligence and understanding the mind.

Contribution

It introduces a topological framework for questions, classifies question types, and explores their relevance to machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Findings

Three types of questions identified: sub-questions, definite-answer questions, irrelevant questions.

Type-II questions are optimal for intelligent machines.

A truly intelligent machine must have desires.

Abstract

A question is identified with a topology on a given set of irreducible assertions. It is shown that there are three types of a question. Type-I question generates sub-question, type-II question has a definite answer and type-III question is irrelevant. We suggest that the most intelligent machine asks type-II questions. We also claim that a truly intelligent machine cannot be desireless. This work may prove useful in machine learning and may open up new ways to understand mind.