A theory of the origins of human knowledge

The PUPS theory and its ACT∗ predecessor are computational embodiments of psychology's effort to develop a theory of the origins of knowledge and contain proposals for extraction of knowledge from the environment, a strength-based prioritization of knowledge, and induction mechanisms for extending knowledge.

Abstract

The PUPS theory and its ACT∗ predecessor are computational embodiments of psychology's effort to develop a theory of the origins of knowledge. The theories contain proposals for extraction of knowledge from the environment, a strength-based prioritization of knowledge, knowledge compilation mechanisms for forming use-specific versions of knowledge, and induction mechanisms for extending knowledge. PUPS differs from ACT∗ basically in its principles of induction which include analogy-based generalization, a discrimination mechanism, and principles of making causal inferences. The knowledge in these theories can be classified into the knowledge level, algorithm level, and implementation level. Knowledge at the knowledge level consists of information acquired from the environment and innate principles of induction and problem solving. Knowledge at the algorithm level consists of internal deductions, inductions, and compilation. Knowledge at the implementation level takes the form of setting strengths for the encoding of specific pieces of information