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which an important role is played by systems for understanding various types of
information, as well as by data analysis and interpretation systems (Fig. 3.1).
Fig. 3.1.
Cognitive system division. Source: developed on the basis of [134], [136]
UBCCS cognitive categorisation systems include decision systems (UBDSS)
developed to take decisions and reason based on them.
In the meaning of the classical decision theory, decision systems follow the de-
scribed behaviour of an ideal, perfectly rational decision-maker (a person or a sys-
tem) in circumstances which require one of a number of well-known options to be
chosen [32], [38]. A cognitive system taking a decision is guided by the utility
principle and considers all the options which somehow contribute to taking the
right decision. The second principle which a cognitive decision system should fol-
low in its operation is the principle of probability which rejects options (decisions)
that are not realistic enough.
The classical decision theory makes several significant assumptions, of which
the most important is that a cognitive decision system should have the full knowl-
edge of all options available (to the system). It is nothing new that a great majority
of decisions are taken in conditions of some risk, where it is uncertain what type
of a possible decisions can be considered, and in particular what the consequences
of taking a specific decision may be.
Cognitive decision systems are therefore developed to conduct analyses during
which all the available options are considered and their suitability is compared in
every regard. This can happen only if the system has the resources it needs, which
include time and the computing capacity. With regard to these two inputs, it
should be emphasised that it is them that can cause the decisions to be taken
within the optimum time or can cause the system to conduct the decision analysis
over a time exceeding common sense limits. In the later case, the decision taken
will become useless, because the time needed to take the right decision counts in
the decision-making process. A cognitive decision system analyses not only taking
into the account the time available for completing the job, but also the ability to
cognitively process all the available options including the consequences of adopt-
ing every one of them. A situation in which we have all the cognitive resources
