Prediction is Deduction but Explanation is Abduction

This paper presents an approach to temporal reasoning in which prediction is deduction but explanation is abduction. It is argued that all causal laws should be expressed in the natural form effect if cause. Any given set of laws expressed in this way can be used for both forwards projection (prediction) and backwards projection (explanation), but abduction must be used for explanation whilst deduction is used for prediction. The approach described uses a shortened form of Kowalski and Sergot's Event Calculus and incorporates the assumption that properties known to hold must have explanations in terms of events. Using abduction to implement this assumption results in a form of default persistence which correctly handles problems which have troubled other formulations. A straightforward extension to SLD resolution is described which implements the abductive approach to explanation, and which complements the well-understood deductive methods for prediction. 

• Type: Conference
• Year: 1989
• Where: IJCAI
• Authors: Murray Shanahan
• Keywords: Explanation Whilst Deduction, Forwards Projection, IJCAI 1989, IJCAI 2007, Natural Form Effect