TEIRESIAS

The knowledge acquisition program TEIRESIAS was built to assist domain experts in refining the MYCIN knowledge base. TEIRESIAS developed the concept of metalevel knowledge, i.e., knowledge by which a program can not only use its knowledge directly, but can examine it, reason about it, and direct its use. TEIRESIAS makes clear the line of reasoning used in making a diagnosis and aids physician experts in modifying or adding to the knowledge base. Much of this was incorporated into the EMYCIN framework. The flexibility and understandability that TEIRESIAS introduced into the knowledge base debugging process have been models for the design of many expert systems. (1974-1977)