Is state-dependent valuation more adaptive than simpler rules?

Is state-dependent valuation more adaptive than simpler rules?

McNamara et al. (2012) claim to provide an explanation of certain systematic deviations from rational behavior using a mechanism that could arise through natural selection. We provide an arguably much simpler mechanism in terms of computational limitations, that performs better in the environment described by McNamara et al. (2012). To argue convincingly that animals' use of state-dependent val...

Green is Simpler than Grue ∗

Goodman’s grue-bleen paradox relies on the claim that the predicate “green” is not simpler than the predicate “grue”, and that, for that reason, the choice between them is arbitrary. It is argued that this claim can only be made in a restricted model, in which functions have primitive names but particular values do not. In more natural models, which allow values to have proper names as well, th...

Equity Valuation: More than Thirty Years Later

Organizational Heuristics: More than Simple Rules

This paper explores the nature of heuristics in organizations operating in complex environments. The authors review the current academic literature on heuristics, and then conduct interpretive case studies to explore how two organizations used heuristics in practice. These findings lead to the development of four dimensions along which heuristics vary: scope, focus, development and depth. These...

Simpler and More General Minimization for Weighted Finite-State Automata

Previous work on minimizing weighted finite-state automata (including transducers) is limited to particular types of weights. We present efficient new minimization algorithms that apply much more generally, while being simpler and about as fast. We also point out theoretical limits on minimization algorithms. We characterize the kind of “well-behaved” weight semirings where our methods work. Ou...