Economics Dictionary of Arguments

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Trial and error: Trial and error is a method of problem-solving that involves repeatedly attempting different solutions until one is found that works. This method is often used when there is no known solution to a problem, or when the problem is too complex to be solved using a more systematic approach. See also Method, Experiments, Science, Problem solving.
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Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments.

 
Author Concept Summary/Quotes Sources

Marvin Minsky on Trial and Error - Dictionary of Arguments

Minsky I 73
Trial and error/computers/AI/Minsky: By trial and error we mean programming the machine systematically to generate all possible structures within some universe of possibilities. For example, suppose you wished to have a robot machine that could build a bridge across a stream. The most efficient program for this would simply execute a specific procedure, planned out in advance, to precisely place some boards and nails. Of course, you couldn't write such a program unless you already knew how to build a bridge. But consider the alternative below, which is sometimes called the generate and test method. It consists of writing a two-part program.
[A.] Generate. The first process simply produces, one after another, every possible arrangement of the boards and nails.
[B.] Test. The second part of the process examines each arrangement to see whether the problem has been solved. >Puzzle principle/Terminology/Minsky
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This possibility makes us reexamine all our old ideas about intelligence and creativity, since it means that, in principle, at least, we can make machines solve any problems whose solutions we can recognize. >Intelligence/Minsky.

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Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments
The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition.

Minsky I
Marvin Minsky
The Society of Mind New York 1985

Minsky II
Marvin Minsky
Semantic Information Processing Cambridge, MA 2003


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