GENERALIZATION
Charles François (2004). GENERALIZATION, International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics, 2(1): 1414.
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 1414 ▶ |
| Object type | General information, Epistemology, ontology or semantics |
The derivation of a more embracing law, principle, or method from a number of specific cases of some phenomena or situations.
Generalization involves the discovery of some common characteristics, forms or patterns present into the different situations considered. It consists in looking for homomorphisms and, if possible for isomorphic models, and constructing useful heuristics.
However, generalization is antinomic to more precise distinctions between the compared elements. It should be used carefully.