Merging with unknown reliability

TL;DR

This paper explores belief merging when source reliability is unknown, proposing methods that consider all possible reliability profiles or assume one source is fully reliable, connecting to maxcons and arbitration approaches.

Contribution

It introduces a framework for belief merging under unknown reliability, linking it to existing maxcons-based merging and arbitration methods.

Findings

Proposes a reliability-agnostic merging approach considering all profiles.

Connects the problem to maxcons-based merging and arbitration.

Provides theoretical foundations for merging with unknown reliability.

Abstract

Merging beliefs depends on the relative reliability of their sources. When unknown, assuming equal reliability is unwarranted. The solution proposed in this article is that every reliability profile is possible, and only what holds according to all is accepted. Alternatively, one source is completely reliable, but which one is unknown. These two cases motivate two existing forms of merging: maxcons-based merging and arbitration.