Fuzzy Thinking: The New Science of Fuzzy Logic - Softcover

Kosko, Bart

Softcover

ISBN 10: 078688021X ISBN 13: 9780786880218

Publisher: Hyperion, 1994

Synopsis

A washing machine that gauges each load to determine how much soap to use An air conditioner that constantly adjusts cooling strength based on room temperature These "smart" products are possible with the advent of "fuzzy logic, " the principle that's revolutionizing science. Now, its chief proponent presents a brilliant, popular account of the field called the "new chaos.".

About this title

About the Author

Professor Bart Kosko has degrees in philosophy, economics, mathematics, and electrical engineering and is on the faculty of the University of Southern California.

From Kirkus Reviews

Aristotle is out and Buddha is in; the law of the excluded middle (either A or not-A) is repealed, and A and not-A together replaces it. No more black and white, right and wrong, true or false. In their place come shades of gray, more or less, maybe so, maybe not. Why? Because the new world of fuzzy logic more closely mirrors reality, has a rigor all its own, and is paying off in the marketplace. Kosko (Electrical Engineering/USC) has been called the ``St. Paul'' of fuzziness, and for good reason: Not only has he contributed major theories and proofs in the development of fuzzy logic, but he's also been a major proselytizer and gadfly, organizing conferences and frequently going on the road (which usually leads to Japan). He's also young...which may account for the passion and posturing that color the text. Indeed, until Kosko gets down to chapter and verse on what FL is and how it works, reader will be put off by the constant put-down of Western logic and philosophy and opposing schools of computer science. But when Kosko is good, he's very, very good. One comes away from his text with a real understanding of the concepts of fuzzy sets, rules, and systems, and of how they're applied to make ``smart'' machines, devices, trains, and planes. He's also good in extending these ideas to neural nets in hypothesizing how brains change, learn, get smart. But toward the end, he plunges big time into metaphysical questions about life, death, cosmology, God (seen as the math- maker). Curious about the future, Kosko says that he'll opt for freezing at death. Still, for all the self-indulgence, probably the best primer around for learning what FL is all about, certainly cuts above Daniel McNeill and Paul Freiberger's Fuzzy Logic (p. 45). -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Edition details

• Publisher: Hyperion
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 078688021X
• ISBN 13: 9780786880218
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 336