Inductive inference and reverse mathematics

Abstract

The present work investigates inductive inference from the perspective of reverse mathematics. Reverse mathematics is a framework that allows gauging the proof strength of theorems and axioms in many areas of mathematics. The present work applies its methods to basic notions of algorithmic learning theory such as Angluin's tell-tale criterion and its variants for learning in the limit and for conservative learning, as well as to the more general scenario of partial learning. These notions are studied in the reverse mathematics context for uniformly and weakly represented families of languages. The results are stated in terms of axioms referring to induction strength and to domination of weakly represented families of functions.