---
title: "On Heuristic Reasoning, Reactivity, and Search"
authors:
  - "Susan L. Epstein"
doi: ""
url: "https://ijcai.org/proceedings/1995/60"
pdf: "https://ijcai.org/proceedings/1995/0060.pdf"
venue: "Proceedings of the Fourteenth International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence"
year: 1995
pages: "454-462"
track: "Cognitive Modelling"
keywords:
---

# On Heuristic Reasoning, Reactivity, and Search

Susan L. Epstein

*Proceedings of the Fourteenth International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence*, pages 454-462.

## Abstract

This paper explores the relationships among reactivity, heuristic reasoning, and search. It describes a hybrid, hierarchical reasoner that first has the opportunity to react correctly. If no ready reaction is computed, the reasoner activates a set of reactive triggers for time-limited search procedures. If they too fail to produce a response, the reasoner resorts to collaboration among a set of heuristic rationales. In a series of experiments, this hybrid reasoner is shown to be effective and efficient. The data also show how each of the three processes (correct reactions, time-limited search with reactive trigger, and heuristic rationales) plays an important role in problem solving. Reactivity is demonstrably enhanced by brief, knowledge-based, intelligent searches to generate solution fragments .