Heuristic

A heuristic or heuristic technique (<a href="/facts/Problem_solving/9cuLz5pH">problem solving</a>, <a href="/facts/Heuristic_(psychology)/gwyv5AkX">mental shortcut</a>, <a href="/facts/Rule_of_thumb/RopfGsJ0">rule of thumb</a>) is any approach to <a href="/facts/Problem_solving/9cuLz5pH">problem solving</a> that employs a <a href="/facts/Pragmatism/v1zMTt3m">pragmatic</a> method that is not fully <a href="/facts/Mathematical_optimisation/oRn8Iv5I">optimized</a>, perfected, or <a href="/facts/Rationality/ueS0w9lk">rationalized</a>, but is nevertheless "good enough" as an <a href="/facts/Approximation/LvYHsXzq">approximation</a> or <a href="/facts/Attribute_substitution/bvSFqCEY">attribute substitution</a>. 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 <a href="/facts/Cognitive_load/MAAlVLBs">cognitive load</a> of <a href="/facts/Decision-making/NbJYprSw">making a decision</a>.

<blockquote>Heuristic reasoning is often based on <a href="/facts/Inductive_reasoning/EJ992JJ9">induction</a>, or on <a href="/facts/Analogy/LYcGaTdm">analogy</a> ... Induction is the process of discovering general laws  ... Induction tries to find regularity and coherence ... Its most conspicuous instruments are <a href="/facts/Generalization/v0b1pwUx">generalization</a>, <a href="/facts/Special_case/bKaJ85XJ">specialization</a>, analogy. [...] Heuristic discusses human behavior in the face of problems [... that have been] preserved in the wisdom of <a href="/facts/Proverb/g5vFjF76">proverbs</a>.— <a href="/facts/George_P%25C3%25B3lya/cYgGdvJu">George Pólya</a>, <a href="/facts/How_to_Solve_It/4bpj2cxp">How to Solve It</a></blockquote>

Heuristic open-in-new

Heuristic