The Causal Representation and Simulation of Physical Mechanisms.
Abstract
This paper describes a theoretical framework and a LISP implementation for describing and simulating the cause-effect behavior of mechanisms. For the purposes of this research, a mechanism is defined to be any physical device, complex or simple, which exhibits cause and effect relationships useful to humans. Ordinarily, this will mean any purposively constructed object, such as a vacuum cleaner, a pencil, a button, a lightbulb or a computer. However, the authors also include in the definition any naturally-occurring physical devices and principles whose cause and effect relationships are of use to humans. Also considered are information-manipulating 'mechanisms' such as computer programs, as though they were physical in nature.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA034194
Entities
People
- Chuck Rieger
- Milt Grinberg
Organizations
- University of Maryland