# Abductive forgetting

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2209.12825 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2209.12825/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 4 of its 61 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 26 Sep 2022.

## Builds on (most cited first, 4 of 4)

- [Forgetting in Answer Set Programming -- A Survey](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2107.07016/) (2021)
- [Inseparability and Conservative Extensions of Description Logic Ontologies: A Survey](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1804.07805/) (2018)
- [Dependence in Propositional Logic: Formula-Formula Dependence and Formula Forgetting -- Application to Belief Update and Conservative Extension](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1806.11304/) (2018)
- [The ghosts of forgotten things: A study on size after forgetting](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2005.04123/) (2020)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Abductive forgetting is removing variables from a logical formula while maintaining its abductive explanations. It is carried in two alternative ways depending on its intended application. Both differ from the usual forgetting, which maintains consequences rather than explanations. Differently from that, abductive forgetting from a propositional formula may not be expressed by any propositional formula. A necessary and sufficient condition tells when it is. Checking it is Pip3-complete. A way to guarantee expressibility of abductive forgetting is to switch from propositional to default logic. Another is to introduce new variables.