LUIS M. AUGUSTO

Generally, I research into natural and formal languages from the viewpoints of their relationships (e.g., semantic networks) and applications in human and artificial cognition (e.g., knowledge systems). I am mostly interested in two subjects: Language & Knowledge (L&K) and Language & Agency (L&A).

With respect to L&K, I research into languages for knowledge; my focus is on logical languages, but I actively work in other research paths (e.g., automata and games) that can provide a language with decidability, a (very) strong epistemic requirement.

As for L&A, I am particularly interested in high-level languages for interaction with machines, namely languages for (humanoid) robots. I am also interested in the topic of how language-related cognitive deficits are reflected in agency.

The main objective is to research into how cognitive agents represent knowledge and how this representation supports (rational, and possibly also ethical) agency. Computability issues naturally arise in this framework and need to be tackled properly. Narrowly conceived, my work fits into symbolic AI (see my review of Newell & Simon’s work in this field, especially my Author Reply to Jörg Siekmann). Broadly conceived, in cognitive science and the philosophy of science.

Hence, I am also (very) interested in knowledge representation and reasoning, knowledge engineering, namely as (formal) ontology, cognitive modeling conceived both narrowly (symbolic & connectionist models) and broadly (e.g., mental representation [in, say, Aristotle]), & unconscious cognition.

What glues all this together is formal semantics, the formal study of how representations are interpreted – become meaningful – in a given environment. I am particularly interested in game-theoretical semantics for formal languages.

Publications

List of publications and links thereto.

Ongoing courses & projects

· I am completing a project of the Journal of Knowledge Structures & Systems (JKSS) on bridging philosophical ontology and formal ontology via the work of the late medieval philosopher Dietrich of Freiberg. More specifically, this project bridges the gulf between information-based ontology (my own coinage) and ontology-based information; thus, it bridges the philosophical and formal approaches to information in ontology. Papers in the project are available (open access) in JKSS 2(2), JKSS 3(1), JKSS 3(2), JKSS 3(3). Check also the commentaries on these articles published in the indicated issues.

· A major project is Formal Truth Toward a Strongly Formal Epistemology, expected to be carried out—if application for funding is successful—at Lisbon’s CFCUL.

· In the quest for decidability, I am going deep into ω-automata and infinite games, namely in association with monadic second-order logic, temporal logics, and many-valued logics.

· In (slow) progress, and related to the above projects: Logic in knowledge representation and reasoning: Central topics via readings and Knowledge & Logic.

· A two-volume work on computational logic is underway. Volume 1 is already published (in College Publications, London). The second volume is planned to be on temporal and many-valued logics with game-theoretical semantics.

· I am working together with Farshad Badie (Research Group Natural and Formal Languages, Aalborg University) on a symbolic computational model of formal thought disorder. Keywords: Formal thought disorder; symbolic computational model; (classical) cognitivism; logical form; semantic networks; syntax-semantics interface of human information processing; description logic; conception language; OWL (Web Ontology Language). Published papers: Badie & Augusto (2022)

· I am currently a guest co-editor for the AI Special Issue “Conceptualization and Semantic Knowledge”.

Extra stuff

Conferences, talks, etc.

- Unconscious cognition: An intro. (A PowerPoint I use to introduce audiences to the topic of unconscious cognition)

- Logical consequence and closure spaces. Material prepared at the University of Barcelona, March 2015.

- Automating deduction in non-classical logics: Signed resolution for many-valued logics. CMAF, University of Lisbon, 2014. Abstract

- Mind: Architectures, models, formalisms. One neuron, two neurons, …, n neurons, a mind? University of Oporto, June 2013.

- Mind: Architectures, models, formalisms. What language does the mind ‘speak’? University of Oporto, May 2013.

- Mind: Architectures, models, formalisms. Is the Universal Turing Machine a mind? University of Oporto, May 2013.

- Mind: Architectures, models, formalisms. The traditional model of cognition (is wrong). University of Oporto, April 2013.

- Mind &/v logic: Mental disorder. University of Oporto, April 2013.

- Mind &/v logic: The cognitive unconscious. University of Oporto, March 2013.

- Mind &/v logic: Knowledge representation. University of Oporto, Feb. 2013.

- Mind &/v logic: Rationality. University of Oporto, Feb. 2013.

- Mind &/v logic: Cognition. University of Oporto, Feb. 2013.

- Computability and Computationalism: From mathematics to theories on the mind. (On the legacy of Alan Turing one hundred years after his birth.) University of Oporto, Faculty of Letters, Nov.-Dec. 2012.

- Inconsciente e linguagem: Lições da psicose. University of Oporto, March 2010.

- Unconscious mental processes and action: A cognitive approach. University of Oporto, March 2009.

- Consciousness in Continental Philosophy. University of Oporto, April-June 2009.

- Unconscious knowledge and epistemic accessibility. University of Sussex, Dec. 2008.

- Unconscious knowledge: When we don’t know that we know. University of Oporto, Nov. 2008.

- Unconscious knowledge and epistemic status. University of Sussex, June 2008.

My most cited article (> 50 citations at Google Scholar): Augusto, L. M. (2010). Unconscious knowledge: A survey. Advances in Cognitive Psychology, 6, 116-141.

Contact

luis.ml.augusto(AT)gmail(DOT)com