Prof Jürg Kohlas
- Professor emeritus of Theoretical Computer Science
Research Interests
Algebraic Theory of Information
Information is related to questions, it must be focused on the questions of interest, and it comes often in different pieces, or from different sources and must aggregated. This can be captured in two-sorted algebras, linking elements representing pieces of information and elements representing distinct questions. In this research project, these algebras are studied based on different, but related axiomatic bases. These algebras allow for generic distributed local computation schemes. Different computational architectures are developed and implemented. Further representations of information based either on universal logic systems or on general relational systems are studied. Finally, uncertain information is modeled by random variables taking values in information algebras.
most recent research:
Algebras of Information. A New and Extended Axiomatic Foundation
Probabilistic Argumentation
Often information depends on uncertain assumptions. Hypotheses may then be deduced or proved assuming certain of these assumptions. By considering the likelihood or probability of the assumptions involved, the reliability with which the hypotheses can be deduced or proved can be computed. This defines degrees of support for the hypotheses. These degrees form belief functions in the sense of Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence. These probabilistic argumentation systems link logic and probability for inference in a very natural way going back to the founder of stochastics, J. Bernoulli. Computational architectures for probabilistic argumentation systems have been implemented in the framework of propositional logic. Further, in the abstract setting of information algebras they are induced by random variables with value in information algebras. In this direction the project is pursued under the first heading.
Other Work
History of Computing
Other Activities
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Painting (see here)
Further Activities
- Former member of the council of Hasler Foundation.
Recent Publications
Up-to-date:
- Interview in The Reasoner. Volume 2, Number 1, 2008.
Books:
A Mathematical Theory of Hints
Statistical Information: Assumption-Based Statistical Inference
Coeditor of:
Dependable Sysstems: Software, Computing, Networks
Recent Papers:
- Uncertain Information: Random Variables in Graded Semilattices
- Information Algebras and Consequence Operators
- An Algebraic Theory for Statistical Information based on the Theory of Hints
- Generic Local Computation
- Generalized Information Theory for Hints
- An Algebraic Theory of Information: An Introduction and Survey
- On Conditions for Semirings to Induce Compact Information Algebras
- Inverses, Conditionals and Compositional Operators in Separative Valuation Algebras
- Algebras of Information. New and Extendced Algebraic Foundations
- Information and Set Algebras: Interpretation and Uniqueness of Conditional Independence
- Probabilistic Argumentation and Information Algebras of Probability Potentials on Families of Compatible Frames
Further Papers:
See my publication list here.
New: Computer Science in School:
The German version is out of print. It is however available as e-book, see here
Alternatively it can be downloaded here
Press Articles on Computer Science in School:
La Liberté: L'informatique en branche principale
La Liberté: Urgent: Cherche informaticiens
Sonntagszeitung: Kosten sparen
La Liberté: La science informatique pourrait devenir une branche principale
L'HEBDO: Sus à l'analphabétisme informatique
Freiburger Nachrichten: Um die neue Welt besser verstehen zu können
Contact
Kohlas Jürg Department of Informatics Boulevard de Pérolles 90 1700 FRIBOURG (Switzerland) |
office : PER 2, C409 phone : +41 26 300 8338 e-mail : juerg.kohlas@unifr.ch |