Another Half Century of Progress in Fuzzy Logic?

Abstract

We often celebrate over the years those past events that continue to influence us today. Fuzzy set and fuzzy logic as well as the scientific-technological disciplines that are derived from them have made enormously valuable contributions to the world as a whole and to the fields of science and engineering in particular. It is, therefore, appropriate to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the day when fuzzy was first used not only as a word in a scientific paper, but also as the central concept of that particular paper. This concept went on to be significantly developed in both the theoretical and applied fields and subsequently has opened up new horizons in thinking, research and development. I think the best way to celebrate this important event is to reflect on what has been done with fuzzy logic over the last half century and then to let this reflection serve to guide us into another half century of progress in which there is still much to be contributed by this field of study, research and development. My modest contribution to the project will follow along this line.