Knowledge valuation

This article by Dr Piotr Wozniak is part of SuperMemo Guru series on memory, learning, creativity, and problem solving.

Definition

Valuation of knowledge is a neural process of computing the value of a piece of knowledge from the point of view an individual. The valuation of a piece of knowledge is largely determined by prior knowledge, its valuations, and the individual's goals.

Example

For a 12-year-old aspiring soccer player, knowing the life story of Messi or Maradona is highly valuable. For the same child, trigonometry may seem irrelevant. Her brain will attach little value to trigonometry. At the same time, for a 22-year-old student of architecture, geometry is essential, while the knowledge of football may be of little interest. In this example, we might be speaking about the same brain set in two different knowledge states separated by a decade. Knowledge valuation depends on personal goals, and the valuation of individual pieces of one's own prior knowledge. It is highly individual. It determines the pleasure of learning. Inevitable individual differences in knowledge valuation undermine the concept of the universal curriculum in efficient learning.

Explanation

All individual pieces of knowledge processed by the brain can instantly be evaluated for their relevance, coherence, and value. We instantly know if information is understandable and useful. We also often instantly notice when it is inconsistent, incoherent or irrelevant. The highest valuations are attributed to consistent and coherent knowledge that contributes to achieving personal goals.

Mechanism

Knowledge valuation is networked in that individual concepts in the concept network of the brain are associated with context-dependent value, and convey that value on associated concepts. For example, the value of understanding the liver, might be determined by the value of becoming a physician, which in turn may be valued for its monetary value or by the value of helping fellow human beings in need (or both).

I refer to the concept network of knowledge that leads to specific valuations as the knowledge valuation network.

There are many hypothetical mechanisms that might underlie valuation of knowledge. They are not mutually exclusive:

neuronal rate coding might be used to determine the "intensity" of the concept activation, which may convey value (see: Rate coding in knowledge valuation)
opioid receptor gradient in competitive learning, e.g. visual recognition, may affect regulatory synaptic connections that might locally impart value
valuations in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) may determine the master common currency for knowledge valuations
direct access to the nucleus accumbens, the ventral tegmental area, and other reward centers may result in providing consciously perceived reward

Valuations may be hierarchical in terms of their mechanisms as well. For example, rate coding might affect the degree of opioid stimulation, which may enhance the verdict in the OFC, which may selectively reach reward centers as the ultimate reward used by the learn drive system in guiding the learning process.

Valuation competence

A child is as good an evaluator as an adult. The main difference between a child and an adult is the size of prior knowledge. As a result, a toddler can value reaching for a ball, and care not about quantum mechanics. A ten-year-old may wish to fly to Mars in Kerbal Space Program but may care not about the laws of gravity expressed as mathematical formulas. An adult may have grand dreams of designing a new type of an electric motor. His valuations of knowledge will be vastly different, but the valuation process essentially the same in terms of competence and fluency.

The algorithm of learning that uses knowledge valuation is the same in children and in adults. See: Exploratory learning algorithm

Example

The picture shows exemplary valuations that are determined by personal interests in cancer and fasting:

Figure: Exemplary hypothetical concept activations and valuations upon encountering a declarative statement "In fasting, the NK cells learned to use fatty acids as fuel instead of glucose, which is typically their primary energy source. This really optimizes their anti-cancer response because the tumor microenvironment contains a high concentration of lipids, and now they’re able enter the tumor and survive better".
Here is a set of concept maps activations that results from reading the passage. Colors indicate concept connections that form concept maps that represent individual statements:

I employ fasting (time-restricted feeding) (light green)

I believe in health effects of fasting (brown)

Health is essential for productivity (pink)

Productivity serves IVS (intrinsically valuable state) (dark brown)

Fasting does metabolic training on NK cells (as suggested in the passage) (purple)

NK cells are important in combating cancer (this is prior knowledge reinforced by the passage, which is represented in total by light blue)

Cancer is my main longevity risk (e.g. due to my family history) (black)

Longevity serves IVS (intrinsically valuable state) (dark blue)

The highly branched concept map responsible for conveying the newly acquired knowledge from the passage is presented in the pinkish circular area. The essential value concepts are located on the right on the white background. They focus on self and the main life goals (incl. longevity, productivity, etc.). Red arrows show how concepts impart value on other concepts in knowledge valuation network. The value of a piece of knowledge is imparted by associations with goal of goals (IVS). IVS imparts value on health, longevity and productivity, which in turn make fighting cancer important, while the news reveals that fasting trains NK cells to improve natural fight against cancer
Compare: The same concept map generalized by forgetting

Knowledge valuation

Definition

Example

Explanation

Mechanism

Valuation competence

Example

Further reading

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