Connecting Lexicographic with Maximum Entropy Entailment

Abstract. This paper reviews and relates two default reasoning mechanisms, lexicographic (lex) and maximum entropy (me) entailment. Meentailment requires that defaults be assigned speci c strengths and it is shown that lex-entailment can be equated to me-entailment for a class of speci c strength assignments. By clarifying the assumptions which underlie lex-entailment, it is argued that me-entailment is a superior method of handling default inference for reasons of both expressiveness and objective justi cation.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 1999
• Where: ECSQARU
• Authors: Rachel A. Bourne, Simon Parsons
• Keywords: Automated Reasoning, Default Reasoning Mechanisms, ECSQARU 1999, Maximum Entropy, Objective Justi Cation