A Logical Approach to Computational Theory Building (with applications to sociology)
Jaap Kamps

Abstract:
%Nr: DS-2000-02
%Title: A Logical Approach to Computational Theory Building with applications to sociology
%Author: Jaap Kamps

This thesis, entitled ``A Logical Approach to Computational Theory
Building with applications to sociology,'' contains multidisciplinary
research on the fields of logic, artificial intelligence, philosophy
of science, and sociology.
Starting point is the representation of scientific theories in formal
logic, and the support of this way of theory building by formal
criteria for evaluating and revising theories.
Central aspect is the use of automated reasoning to determine the
outcome of these criteria, leading to a computational methodology for
formalizing scientific theories.
Finally, the logical formalism is applied for evaluating and revising
existing scientific theories from the field of sociology---leading to
clarification of the substantive theories and even to new insights.

Table of Contents:

1  Introduction & Overview   ................................   1
2  Formal Theory Building Using Automated Reasoning Tools  ..  11
3  Reducing Uncertainty: A Formal Theory of ``Organizations
   in Action''   ............................................  37
4  Criteria for Formal Theory Building   ....................  71
5  The Process of Axiomatizing Scientific Theories   ........  87
6  Partial Deductive Closure   .............................. 109
7  Qualitative Reasoning beyond the Physics Domain   ........ 131
8  Discussion & Related Work   .............................. 145
   Bibliography   ........................................... 169
   Index   .................................................. 187