Freedom: A Measure of Second-order Uncertainty for Intervalic Probability Schemes

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new measure called F for second-order uncertainty in intervalic probability frameworks, emphasizing its conceptual basis and distinction from ambiguity or vagueness, with potential applications in knowledge engineering and human sciences.

Contribution

It formally discusses the measure F, compares it with other uncertainty measures, and clarifies its interpretation as an indicator of nonspecificity or freedom.

Findings

F is an adaptable measure for various probability frameworks.

F distinguishes nonspecificity from ambiguity and vagueness.

Potential applications include expert systems and knowledge engineering.

Abstract

This paper discusses a new measure that is adaptable to certain intervalic probability frameworks, possibility theory, and belief theory. As such, it has the potential for wide use in knowledge engineering, expert systems, and related problems in the human sciences. This measure (denoted here by F) has been introduced in Smithson (1988) and is more formally discussed in Smithson (1989a)o Here, I propose to outline the conceptual basis for F and compare its properties with other measures of second-order uncertainty. I will argue that F is an indicator of nonspecificity or alternatively, of freedom, as distinguished from either ambiguity or vagueness.