Meta-languages, Reflection Principles and Self-Reference
Donald R. Perlis, V S Subrahrnanian · 1994
Abstract Self-reference or self-applicability is an important theme throughout computer science, from recursive programs to undecidability results, from compiler bootstrapping to program semantics. A relative latecomer to this list is artificial intelligence, for only recently has self-reference been seen as an important attribute of intelligent systems. This chapter will give a bird’s-eye view of some of the issues surrounding self-reference in AI, especially those related to non-monotonicity, reification, and intentionality. The notions of meta-language and reflection principle will arise as natural concomitants of self-reference.