A Generalization of the Theory of Expertons

Abstract

With the advent of fuzzy logic applications in the field of economics and in the context of expert systems we are witnessing a new approach to data-gathering methods as the aggregation of data provided by various experts brings with it new data fusion techniques. In 1987, the exploration of these techniques gave rise to the experton concept as an integrating element that allows the collection of all information expressed by a group of experts relating to the level or degree of truth of a statement or the degree of fulfilment of a certain vague or imprecise characteristic. Over the thirty years since its formulation, the experton concept has been applied as a support element in decision-making processes in many areas of the social sciences. The aim of this article is to present a generalization of the experton concept for both the discrete and continuous cases, which respects known properties and has the potential to be practically applied in various situations where there is a need to perform a simulation of various opinion scenarios relating to a characteristic or statement, and thus explore new approaches to decision-making models.