On tests for hypothetical reasoning
Sheila A. McIlraith, Raymond Reiter · 1992
Suppose that HY P is a set of hypotheses which we currently entertain about some state of affairs represented by a propositional sentence \\Sigma. In a diagnostic setting, HY P might consist of all the diagnoses of some device whose description is given by \\Sigma, although our analysis is not restricted to diagnosis. Our concern is with tests -- how they can be designed, and what conclusions can be drawn about the hypotheses in HY P as a result of performing tests. Specifically, we define the concept of a test and the concept of the outcome of a test. We characterize those tests whose outcomes refute or confirm an hypothesis, and discriminate between competing hypotheses. These characterizations are in terms of the prime implicates of \\Sigma, and hence are implementable using assumption-based truth maintenance systems. In addition, we characterize the impact of a test outcome on consistency-based and abductive hypothesis spaces. Finally, we provide a characterization of differential dia...