On the qualitative/necessity possibility measure. I: Investigation in the framework of measurement theory (Q1582647)

The author considers possibility measures, which are set functions \(\Pi\) satisfying \(\Pi(A)=\max\{\Pi(x): x\in A\}\). He is interested in the difference \(\Pi(x)-\Pi(y)\) as measuring validity, or strength, of the judgement ``\(A\) is more possible than \(B\)'', and explores representations of this strength via a fuzzy binary relation, or better via its membership function \(\mu(x,y)\). He shows that a representation by a function of the single variable, \(\mu(x,y)=g(\Pi(x)-\Pi(y))\) is unsatisfactory, and goes on to examine representations via functions of the two independent variables \(\Pi(x),\Pi(y)\). He shows that no polynomial function satisfies a minimal set of desirable axioms; he considers an exponential form, but this too is found inadequate. Preliminary considerations on some possible further routes conclude the paper.