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Fuzzy logic is not a "bunch of if statements". Fuzzy logic differs from classical logic. In fuzzy logic one can model arbitrary (linear or nonlinear) functions

Fuzzy logic is not a "bunch of if statements". Fuzzy logic differs from classical logic. In fuzzy logic one can model arbitrary (linear or nonlinear) functions. In particular, in fuzzy logic the law of the excluded middle does not hold. So truth values can be true, false or something in-between. Typically the categorical (true, false) is replaced by the the closed interval [0, 1], with 0 meaning "absolutely false", 1 meaning "absolutely true", and an infinity of possible valid values in between, each to some degree true and to some degree false. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuzzy_logic#Overview https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuzzy_logic#Overview

HeyLaughingBoy 11y ago
Part of the problem is the name. The late Bob Pease (google him: fascinating character even if you're not an EE) in particular trashed Fuzzy Logic/Fuzzy Control every time he had a chance. Call it by its alternate name of Multivariate Logic and it seems less... fuzzy.
- giardini 11y ago
  1. Pease has some good points to make about the use of fuzzy logic in control systems (e.g., difficult to prove robustness of nonlinear models) but it appears that he never stopped criticizing long enough to really find out what fuzzy logic was and the advantages it might bring (e.g., nonlinear control systems, use of human intuitive knowledge in control systems). Nonetheless Pease is funny reading and his writings likely contributed to slow US adoption of fuzzy logic control systems. As a result of this (and the unfortunate literal minterpretations of the term itself perhaps) fuzzy logic control systems in steadicams, helicopter guidance, subway control systems, rice cookers, washing machines, etc. that we use today mostly originate from abroad. . 2. I've never read/heard the term "Multivariate Logic" used as a synonym for fuzzy logic.
  - HeyLaughingBoy 11y ago
    I wish I could find the class handouts, but I think the "multivariate logic" term came from a short introductory class on Fuzzy Logic I took a very long time ago.
    - HeyLaughingBoy 11y ago
      Can't edit, but it looks like I meant "multivalued" not "multivariate" logic.
- ghaff 11y ago
  I wasn't an EE but I still loved his columns in Electronic Design. At one point, we got into some correspondence over the use of lists--which, as I recall, was somehow connected with traveling to Nepal. For some reason I do remember his ongoing campaign against "fuzzy control systems."

HeyLaughingBoy 11y ago

Part of the problem is the name. The late Bob Pease (google him: fascinating character even if you're not an EE) in particular trashed Fuzzy Logic/Fuzzy Control every time he had a chance. Call it by its alternate name of Multivariate Logic and it seems less... fuzzy.

giardini 11y ago
1. Pease has some good points to make about the use of fuzzy logic in control systems (e.g., difficult to prove robustness of nonlinear models) but it appears that he never stopped criticizing long enough to really find out what fuzzy logic was and the advantages it might bring (e.g., nonlinear control systems, use of human intuitive knowledge in control systems). Nonetheless Pease is funny reading and his writings likely contributed to slow US adoption of fuzzy logic control systems. As a result of this (and the unfortunate literal minterpretations of the term itself perhaps) fuzzy logic control systems in steadicams, helicopter guidance, subway control systems, rice cookers, washing machines, etc. that we use today mostly originate from abroad. . 2. I've never read/heard the term "Multivariate Logic" used as a synonym for fuzzy logic.
- HeyLaughingBoy 11y ago
  I wish I could find the class handouts, but I think the "multivariate logic" term came from a short introductory class on Fuzzy Logic I took a very long time ago.
  - HeyLaughingBoy 11y ago
    Can't edit, but it looks like I meant "multivalued" not "multivariate" logic.
ghaff 11y ago
I wasn't an EE but I still loved his columns in Electronic Design. At one point, we got into some correspondence over the use of lists--which, as I recall, was somehow connected with traveling to Nepal. For some reason I do remember his ongoing campaign against "fuzzy control systems."