Cognitive Modelling with Term Rewriting

Abstract

Term rewriting is a well established formal method used for defining semantics of programming languages, program transformations, automatic theorem proving, symbolic programming, intelligent tutoring system development etc. In this paper, we present a language based on term rewriting as an alternative formalism for modelling cognitive skills. We show how the language overcomes some deficiencies of production systems (compositionality, readability, control-flow etc.) and how, as a consequence, it can help with addressing practical problems raised by the cognitive modelling community.