Three-way Decision, Three-World Conception, and Explainable AI

Abstract

AbstractThree-way decision is about thinking, problem-solving, and computing in threes or through triads. By dividing a whole into three parts, by focusing on only three things, or by considering three basic ingredients, we may build a theory, a model, or a method that is simple-to-understand, easy-to-remember, and practical-to-use. This philosophy and practice of triadic thinking appears everywhere. In particular, there are a number of three-world or tri-world models in different fields and disciplines, where a complex system, a complicated issue, or an intricate concept is explained and understood in terms of three interrelated worlds, with each world enclosing a group of elements or representing a particular view. The main objective of this paper is to review and re-interpret various three-world conceptions through the lens of three-way decision. Three-world conceptions offer more insights into three-way decision with new viewpoints, methods, and modes. They can be used to construct easy-to-understand explanations in explainable artificial intelligence (XAI).KeywordsThree-way decisionThree-world conceptionThree-world modelThinking in threesTrilevel thinkingSMV spaceExplainable AI