Analysis for correct reasoning by robots: modus ponens, modus tollens

Abstract

Reasoning by a robot relates to commands it receives in the natural language in the form of incompletely stated arguments, i.e. enthymemes. An attempt is made by the robot to seek out missing premises or conclusions that will produce valid arguments on the basis of two inference rules, modus ponens and modus tollens. Component sentences of command arguments state a primary goal, an alternate goal, and a condition for achieving the primary goal. The number of valid command arguments that are valid by reason of the two inference rules is determined, and those that are plausible are established. These plausible command arguments are then grouped to convey plausible commands. Finally, the different plausible commands as enthymemes that can be supplied by the master are determined. Also determined are corresponding missing premises and conclusions that the robot seeks out in an attempt to achieve the primary goal. Theorems convey the results of the analysis. >