Can Evidence Be Combined in the Dempster-Shafer Theory

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new relational model for Dempster-Shafer theory that addresses Zadeh's conjecture on evidence noncombinability, demonstrating the continued applicability of Dempster's rule.

Contribution

The paper proposes an alternative relational model representing D-S masses as conditional granular distributions, challenging Zadeh's conjecture on evidence noncombinability.

Findings

Zadeh's conjecture does not hold in the new model

Dempster's rule remains applicable in the proposed model

Comparison shows the new model's advantages over Zadeh's relational model

Abstract

Dempster's rule of combination has been the most controversial part of the Dempster-Shafer (D-S) theory. In particular, Zadeh has reached a conjecture on the noncombinability of evidence from a relational model of the D-S theory. In this paper, we will describe another relational model where D-S masses are represented as conditional granular distributions. By comparing it with Zadeh's relational model, we will show how Zadeh's conjecture on combinability does not affect the applicability of Dempster's rule in our model.