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heuristic

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EntityQ201413· pop 60· linked from 731 articles

Also known as discover, heuristic function, heuristics, heuristic conversation

A heuristic or heuristic technique (problem solving, mental shortcut, rule of thumb) is any approach to problem solving that employs a pragmatic method that is not fully optimized, perfected, or rationalized, but is nevertheless "good enough" as an approximation or attribute substitution. Where finding an optimal solution is impossible or impractical, heuristic methods can be used to speed up the process of finding a satisfactory solution. Heuristics can be mental shortcuts that ease the cognitive load of making a decision.

AI overview

A heuristic is a mental shortcut or practical method for solving problems that's "good enough" rather than perfect, allowing you to find satisfactory answers quickly without needing optimal solutions. Heuristics matter because they help you make decisions and solve problems faster by reducing the mental effort required, which is especially valuable when finding the absolute best answer is impossible or would take too much time.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

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Heuristic
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~14 min read

Article

29 sections
Contents
  • Context
  • Heuristic rigour models
  • One-reason decisions
  • Recognition-based decisions
  • Tracking heuristics
  • Trade-off
  • Social heuristics
  • Epistemic heuristics
  • Behavioral economics
  • Others
  • Meta-heuristic
  • History
  • Notable
  • Figures
  • Works
  • Contemporary
  • Adaptive toolbox
  • Cognitive-experiential self-theory
  • Attribute substitution
  • Academic disciplines
  • Psychology
  • Philosophy
  • Law
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Behavioural economics
  • Stereotyping
  • See also
  • References
  • Further reading

A heuristic or heuristic technique (problem solving, mental shortcut, rule of thumb) is any approach to problem solving that employs a pragmatic method that is not fully optimized, perfected, or rationalized, but is nevertheless "good enough" as an approximation or attribute substitution. Where finding an optimal solution is impossible or impractical, heuristic methods can be used to speed up the process of finding a satisfactory solution. Heuristics can be mental shortcuts that ease the cognitive load of making a decision.

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