Multi-objective Learning Classifier Systems

Abstract

Learning concept descriptions from data is a complex multiobjective task. The model induced by the learner should be accurate so that it can represent precisely the data instances, complete, which means it can be generalizable to new instances, and minimum, or easily readable. Learning Classifier Systems (LCSs) are a family of learners whose primary search mechanism is a genetic algorithm. Along the intense history of the field, the efforts of the community have been centered on the design of LCSs that solved these goals efficiently, resulting in the proposal of multiple systems. This paper revises the main LCS approaches and focuses on the analysis of the different mechanisms designed to fulfill the learning goals. Some of these mechanisms include implicit multiobjective learning mechanisms, while others use explicit multiobjective evolutionary algorithms. The paper analyses the advantages of using multiobjective evolutionary algorithms, especially in Pittsburgh LCSs, such as controlling the so-called bloat effect, and offering the human expert a set of concept description alternatives.