On reasoning withwords and perceptions

Abstract

Fuzzy theorizing has included references to human behavior in general, and to reasoning in particular, almost from its inception. Experience is fuzzy. The strong connections between fuzzy logic and control theory take over, however, when we rely on the machine as a conceptual blueprint, effectively leaving out what makes human behavior unique. Failure to make the proper distinctions is tantamount to letting the available technical means determine our conception of the subject matter instead of the other way around. We will concentrate on the empirical status of the words, perceptions, and rules on which reasoning builds. Language and perception are forms of activity and thus functionally related to the sets of base variables in the absence of which there would be no behavior to speak of. Simulation itself would be a flight of fancy. The fact that claims about the relevance of fuzzy thinking to human behavior continue to be supported through reference to spectacular achievements in engineering clearly calls for reflection.