The term “intelligent systems” has come to mean many different things in many different contexts and, like mostthings related to complex systems, it is hard to nail down a specific definition that is both rigorous enough to discriminate out those things whichshould not be included, but is loose enough to include those that are. As in defining terms like “agents” or “robots,” one is ableto find overly inclusive definitions, such as “an autonomously acting entity” where a thermostat in the latter case, or hard diskcontroller in the former, would meet the definition. On the other hand, tighten up the definition and telerobotics or Google's search bots no longer fit,despite being clearly related technologically. In the case of intelligent systems, too tight a definition of intelligence removes, say, the behaviorswe see in a dog, which can seek out prey or be trained to beg for its dinner, but loosen the definition and we find ourselves talking about systemswith the intelligence of a clam.
I...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsAuthor information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2009 Springer-Verlag
About this entry
Cite this entry
Hendler, J. (2009). Intelligent Systems, Introduction to. In: Meyers, R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Complexity and Systems Science. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-30440-3_289
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-30440-3_289
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-0-387-75888-6
Online ISBN: 978-0-387-30440-3
eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics