Future Perspectives

Abstract

In the first nine chapters of this book, we covered the basic foundations of the theory of fuzzy sets as they can be considered today in an undisputed fashion. Many more concepts and theories could not be discussed, either because of space limitations or because they cannot yet be considered ready for a textbook. In a recent book by Kandel [1982], 3064 references are listed that supposedly are “Key references in fuzzy pattern recognition” [Kandel 1982, p. 209]. In a recent bibliography, Ma Jiliang [1989] lists approximately 2800 references in the area of fuzzy sets, including 50 books. In the Journal for Fuzzy Sets and Systems alone, almost 3,000 articles have been published so far. Even though this might overestimate somewhat the total knowledge available in the area of fuzzy set theory today, it is indication of rather vivid research and, particularly, publication activities. The databank CITE contains at present approximately 12,000 publications in the area of fuzzy sets.