On Selecting a Conjunction Operation in Probabilistic Soft Logic

TL;DR

This paper explains the reasoning behind the choice of conjunction operations in Probabilistic Soft Logic, proposing a more general family of operations to enhance its application in handling uncertainty and relational data.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical justification for the conjunction operation choice in Probabilistic Soft Logic and introduces a broader family of such operations for future use.

Findings

Theoretical explanation for conjunction choice

Introduction of a generalized family of conjunction operations

Potential for improved application in uncertain and relational reasoning

Abstract

Probabilistic Soft Logic has been proposed and used in several applications as an efficient way to deal with inconsistency, uncertainty and relational representation. In several applications, this approach has led to an adequate description of the corresponding human reasoning. In this paper, we provide a theoretical explanation for one of the semi-heuristic choices made in this approach: namely, we explain the choice of the corresponding conjunction operations. Our explanation leads to a more general family of operations which may be used in future applications of probabilistic soft logic.