A triarchic theory of granular computing

Based on the notion of granular structures, a triarchic theory of granular computing integrates three important perspectives, namely, philosophy of structured thinking, methodology of structured problem solving, and mechanism of structured information processing. A granular structure comprises multiple levels that are populated by granules of varying granularity. While a single granular structure provides a multilevel understanding and representation of the reality or a problem, many granular structures give rise to multiview. With an emphasis on multilevel and multiview, the triarchic theory investigates systematically ideas and structured ways to thinking, problem solving, and information processing. It aims at a unified theory that synthesizes various approaches to granular computing.