Heuristics

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(Redirected from Heuristic)

1 Type (?)
2 Level (?)
3 Definition (?)
4 Objectives (?)
5 Questions (?)
6 Keywords (?)
7 Monographs (?)
8 eResources (?)
9 Criticism (?)
10 Status (?)
11 Extend (?)
12 Related (?)
13 Notes (?)
14 Field(s) (?)

Introduction (?)
The word 'heuristic' comes from the Greek word heuriskein, which means 'to find'.^[1] This is the same root as the English exclamatory word 'Eureka!' Heuristics is the study of problem-solving techniques in which the most appropriate solution is selected using rules.

As a problem-solving discipline, heuristics seeks knowledge of methods or strategies for solving problems efficiently and effectively. This study can be employed in planning the steps to solve a complex problem for which no formula or solution exists, but a heuristic can also provide a new solution to an old problem. Plans to modify a currently functioning system can be developed heuristically to improve performance. The set of rules utilized by heuristics to guide one in the direction of probable solutions can be derived from experimentation, experience, or knowledge. The most important aspect of heuristics is its ability to reduce the number of possible choices by eliminating the time spent considering the obvious "bad" choices. All science, including the scientific method, is a highly developed heuristic. Scientific problem-solving, invention, nanotechnology, computer science, psychology, and sociological statistics all draw from heuristics. Every academic discipline and scientific field employs some form of heuristics.

Heuristics can be both a science and an art. When used in the process of discovery, it takes on more of an art form. This is true for an effort in which chance or luck has a major role. Familiarity can help, but ultimately achievement is determined by the circumstances that are beyond knowledge or experience. Methods used to discover potential fossil beds is a heuristic. Also, finding likely locations for discovering unclassified species.

When exercised in the effort to invent, it can become more of a science. The engineering developments of TRIZ & TIPS are examples of this scientific and methodical approach.

Heuristics is also the informal, judgmental knowledge of an application area that constitutes the "rules of good judgment" in the field. Because of the difficulty of finding dependable criteria for statistical evidence, a heuristic is employed to ensure that research continues towards a certain goal that is seen as fruitful. It can guide research in a scientific or academic subject, directing your attention productively. Naturalistic evolution can be seen as the current heuristic for biology. Additionally, heuristics is a means of producing new research by developing and applying new discoveries with problem-solving steps to old questions.

When properly understood, Intelligent Design is a scientific heuristic, not a metaphysical or religious view. Design-theoretic research is an inference from physical phenomena, evidence, and knowledge.

A heuristical approach to computing is relating to or using a problem-solving technique in which the most appropriate solution of several found by alternative methods is selected at successive stages of a program for use in the next step of the program. Guidelines can be established that a system administrator uses to intervene where the two-phase commit or abort would otherwise fail. Interfaces using heuristics may perform different actions on different data given the same command. A computer heuristic takes into account that a procedure that has often worked in the past and is likely, but not certain, to work again.

Heuristics can also be used in communication theory. Mnemonics utilizes heuristic analysis to formulate the set of skills for organizing information at the source to effectively transmit and receive it. Sociologically, people use judgmental heuristics to deal with the large amount of media and relational information with which we are faced.

Challenges exist for using heuristics in scientific inquiry. The use of informal methods, rules of thumb, educated guessing, tricks, and iteration all have their own problems. Some heuristic applications have a greater trial-and-error nature, making them unsuitable for exact sciences. This can be a disadvantage, but not always, since the scientific method itself is a type of trial-and-error process that is (ideally) self-correcting.

There are great prospects for heuristics being beneficial to Intelligent Design research. Refinements of heuristics could be a promising avenue for new design detection methods. Intelligent Design hypotheses may also benefit from the practical nature of this subject area. Additionally, Interdisciplinary fields have high potentiality for using heuristics to their advantage.

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Type (?)

Theoria, Praxis

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Level (?)

Level ALL (Undergraduate, Graduate, Doctorate, Postdoctorate)

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Definition (?)

Examine heuristics and its uses and methods in different fields of study.

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Objectives (?)

Analyze heuristic methods.
Apply heuristic methods to improve existing ID methods.
Synthesize new ID research applications using heuristics.

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Questions (?)

All computer systems and programs using heuristics are classified as intelligent. Can this classification be used to reinforce a design inference? Is this one of the ways that intelligent agents work?
Is natural selection working with mutations a type of natural heuristic?

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Keywords (?)

heuristics, methods, problem-solving, problem, solution, planning

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Monographs (?)

Journal of Heuristics, M. Laguna, Ed.
Simple Heuristics That Make Us Smart, Gerd Gigerenzer, Peter M. Todd, ABC Research Group, 2000, ISBN 0195143817
How to Solve It: Modern Heuristics, Zbigniew Michalewicz, David B. Fogel, 2004, ISBN 3540224947
Heuristic Research: Design, Methodology, and Applications, Clark Moustakas, 1990, ISBN 0803938829

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