It's a shame, gentlemen, it's a shame! Lutfi Zadeh is the best of us! our editorial. What is your relationship with Lutfi Zadeh's son

The world lost a great scientist last year. September 6, 2017 passed away Lutfi Zadeh. In the world of science, the name of Lutfi Zade is known to everyone. But among the Azerbaijani people he is known as Lutfi Aleskerzade... February 4, 1921 in the family of a journalist Rahima Aleskerzade and pediatrician Fanny Korenman was born "the Einstein of modernity", as his colleagues-mathematicians will call him afterwards.

Lutfi Zadeh's father is from the city of Arbedil and ended up in Baku during the First World War on the instructions of the weekly "Iran". This trip became fateful for him, it was in Baku that he met his soul mate, student of the medical institute Fanny Korenman. By the way, Fanny moved to Baku from Odessa during the Jewish pogroms. Until the 4th grade, Lutfi Zadeh studied at the Baku Russian school, and after the family moved to Iran, he continued his studies at the American College of Tehran, and then graduated from the Electrical Engineering Department of the University of Tehran.

Lutfi Zadeh

A little about personal ...

He met his future wife Lutfi Zadeh at school. His chosen one became Fanya Sand(after marriage Faye Zadeh) from a family of Dvin Jews. She ended up in Tehran after the Nazis came to power in Germany. The couple had two children: a daughter Stella Zade, who continued her grandfather's work and became a journalist. And the son Norman Zadeh became an expert in theoretical computer science, but at the same time he is the author of a manual on the game of poker. In addition, Norman Zade owns a magazine for men "Perfect 10"... Both live in the United States today.

Fania Sand and Lutfi Zadeh

Couples such as Fay and Lutfi are said to be "destined to be together." The wife even dedicated a kiss to her husband biographical book "Life and Travels with the Father of Fuzzy Logic", in which the life of the great scientist is described in detail and in detail, a kind of autobiographical portrait.

Despite the fact that Lutfi Zadeh was a great scientist, he played tennis quite well and was very fond of photographing. A kind of hobby, and he only photographed friends and people close to him, among whom were: American presidents Roosevelt and Nixon, Shah of Iran Muhammad Reza Pahlavi, an outstanding cellist Mstislav Rostropovich and a number of renowned scientists. Like all men, Lutfi Zadeh loved to eat. His favorite dishes, despite the fact that the scientist lived far from his homeland, always remained pilaf and shish kebab.

“It is a great honor for me to speak about such a great person. We always knew that just being around him was a holiday. Remembering him, I can say that he was focused on science all his life. The first thing that comes to mind when talking about Lutfi Zade is his genius ", - said Dalma News cousin of the world famous scientist, People's Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan, director Jannat Salimova.

According to her, he always talked about work. “Yes, he had a hobby, he was very fond of photographing. Although I can't even call it a hobby, he just had a distinct artistic taste. But in last years life, he even abandoned this, completely devoting himself to science and students. In Berkeley, he had his own department at the university, where he taught, and of course, a lot of students, ”she recalls.

Jannat Salimova says that Lutfi Zadeh's relatives and friends tried to protect his personal space, did not disturb him again, did not distract him from work. “That is why we did not have endless conversations with him, he constantly worked, he devoted himself to science. If Lutfi Zadeh called, then he always asked specific questions, was interested and said goodbye, ”she says.

The name of the great scientist comes from the USA

Towards the end of World War II, Lutfi Zadeh moved to the United States. Of course, the craving for education did not leave him, and the future genius enters the MIT's magistracy at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, then to graduate school at Columbia University. Then he gets a position at the University of California. Berkeley becomes his permanent residence.

World science today knows six fundamental scientific theories Lutfi Zadeh. He is the creator fuzzy logic theory, and he published his first work on fuzzy set theory in 1965. In the same year, after a long absence, he arrived in Baku, where he received the title of an honorary member of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. He later introduced the theory of verbal computation and representations. In 1992, within the framework of the International Symposium on Robotics and Manufacturing (ISAAM), Lutfi Zadeh was awarded the title "Father of fuzzy logic". He was also awarded an honorary doctorate from prestigious universities in 25 countries of the world, and is a member of many national academies of sciences. In addition, in a number of countries there are scientific schools and the laboratory named after Lutfi Zadeh. The greatest number of references in the world is made to the works of this great man.

His theory is widely used by large corporations, including General Motors, Nissan, Kodak, Toshiba, Panasonic, Mitsubishi, Honda Sony and many others. The theory of fuzzy logic is used in the production of photo and video cameras, household appliances, management vehicles etc. For example, in Denmark, cement and blast furnaces are produced that operate on the basis of fuzzy logic. And in Japan, scientists first created a robot "Alter" with artificial intelligence.

On the last journey

After the scientist left his homeland, he was able to visit Azerbaijan only twice. Lutfi Zadeh visited Baku for the second time in December 2008. And for the third time he returned to his homeland forever in 2017. On September 29, the scientist was buried in the Honorary Alley. A month earlier, Lutfi Zadeh had addressed a letter to the administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan with a request to bury him in his homeland according to Muslim customs. Of course, his wish was granted.

“The scientific community of Azerbaijan suffered a heavy loss. On September 6, 2017, at the 97th year of his life, an outstanding scientist, professor at the University of California, USA, head of the Berkeley Initiative on the theory of soft computing, honorary member of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, honorary chairman of Azerbaijani diaspora organizations in America Lutfi Zadeh (Lutfali Rahim oglu Aleskerzadeh) died ” , - said in the obituary, which was signed by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, his wife Mehriban Aliyeva and other representatives of the AR government, including: Artur Rasizade, Ogtay Asadov, Ramiz Mehdiyev, Elchin Efendiyev, Hajibala Abutalibov, Akif Alizade, Mikail Jabbarov, Ibrahim Guliyev, Rasim Aliguliyev, Telman Aliyev, Fikret Aliyev and Arif Pashayev.

Scientist awards

In 2011, on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of Lutfi Zadeh, in accordance with the order of the President of Azerbaijan, the scientist was awarded the Order "Friendship" for his contribution to the development of science and technology, outstanding services in the establishment of intercultural dialogue. In 2016, he received the gold medal named after Nizami Ganjavi... In addition, it has great amount prizes, including prizes Honda, Campe de Ferier, Okawa, Golden Goose, medal of honor "IEEE" and also medals Richard Hamming, Rufus Oldenburger, Egleston, Benjamin Franklin... He is also the recipient of an international award BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Awards awarded by the organization in conjunction with the Supreme Council for Scientific Research.

Prepared Tatiana Alekperova

earlier, the world famous scientist Lutfi Zadeh bequeathed to bury himself in Azerbaijan. His letter of will was presented to his confidant, a close friend of the scientist's family, professor of the Azerbaijan Technical University Shahnaz Shahbazova.

Shahnaz Shakhbazova, currently in the American city of Berkeley, answered Vzglyad.az's questions:

- What is written in the letter of will presented to you?

The letter says that Lutfi Zadeh bequeathed that after the onset of this difficult day (his death - ed.), His body would be buried in Azerbaijan. The letter was signed by the son of Professor Lutfi Zadeh - Norman Zadeh. The letter also notes that the professor bequeathed to me all his awards, orders, medals and books. I already have the letter of will. I am a confidant entrusted with fulfilling the will of Professor Lutfi Zadeh regarding his burial in Azerbaijan after his death. Last year he gave his son Norman and me this order. At the present time, all these matters are entrusted to me.

In the future, we want to create a house-museum of Lutfi Zadeh in Azerbaijan. We plan to exhibit the professor's personal belongings in this museum.

Professor Lutfi Zadeh sent a letter to the Presidential Administration with a request to hold his funeral in Azerbaijan. In addition, Lutfi Zadeh asked President Ilham Aliyev a year ago to be buried in Azerbaijan after his death.

- What is your relationship with the son of Lutfi Zadeh?

Norman and I are like a sister to a brother. Every day I come to the professor's house, visit him. He sometimes refuses afternoon meals. But when he sees me, he eats. Often I myself feed Lutfi Zadeh. I persuade him like a child, I say: "You have to eat this." We really want him to live. His assistant visits him every day. He informs him of the most important emails received.

Some spread false information that the professor had allegedly died. But this is a complete lie. He simply expressed a desire to be buried in Azerbaijan and sent a letter to the President of Azerbaijan in this regard.

- Everyone is interested that the letter of will has been handed over to you. What is the reason for choosing you as a confidant?

In 2009 I worked in the laboratory of Lutfi Zadeh. The late wife of Lutfi Zadeh was very close to me. And I really love Norman. This love is mutual. But with Lutfi Zadeh we are even closer. He is like a father to me, and I am like a daughter to him. He even gave me his parents' drawings 4 years ago. I often go to him, inquire about his condition.

- Unfortunately, there were many who criticized Lutfi Zadeh's will. I would like to know what you think about this.

He is now 97 years old. He has been living here (in the USA - ed.) Since the age of 23. How can you tell him why you didn't live in Azerbaijan? You can't tell him that. He is a man of logic. In every step, in every deed, he is looking for logic. We had interesting conversations with him related to our country. Lutfi Zadeh loves Azerbaijan very much. He is proud to be Azerbaijani. In all his speeches, he always mentioned that he was born in Baku. Lutfi Zadeh never forgot his Motherland!

- You noted in our conversation that Lutfi Zadeh appealed to the head of state.

Yes, he sent a letter to the head of state. In the letter, he expressed his desire to be buried in Azerbaijan.
Since yesterday, Azerbaijanis living in America have been writing letters to me, in which they say that they do not believe in this news. People are very worried about the health of Lutfi Zadeh.

- What is the state of health of Lutfi Zadeh now?

When he speaks, he experiences difficulties. The condition is normal. He goes in for sports four times a week. I am currently taking part there as well. He says to me: "Shahnaz, you see, I can raise my hand, I go in for sports." Lutfi Zadeh cannot accept his illness. He wants to live. I ask him what he would like? He answers: "Orange". We do whatever he wants. I believe that he will live for a long time. Believe me, there is not even a shadow of death on his face.

- Son Norman is also next to his father?

Sometimes every three, and sometimes every six months, he visits his father. He is very busy. I saw him two weeks ago. Norman's attorney handles the design required documents... I spoke about this with our consul in America (USA - ed.). I told him that the professor is still alive.

I will also note one point. For the first time, Lutfi Zadeh asked me to cook Russian soup for him, and I fulfilled this wish.

"We do not need enemies ... we will destroy ourselves" (Sabir)

On the high green bank of the Danube, where a majestic river flows through German Bavaria, a white marble neoclassical temple stands proudly. Located 10 kilometers east of the city of Regensburg, this replica of the Athenian Parthenon houses the Hall of Fame for outstanding historical figures belonging to the German civilization. Therefore, this hall, opened in 1842, was named, respectively - Valhalla. According to ancient Germanic mythology, Valhalla was the posthumous habitat of heroes who fell in battle, brought there by the warlike maidens-Valkyries.

The majestic hall of Valhalla contains busts and memorial plaques that commemorate the memory of nearly 200 of the most famous representatives of the German world. Why do I use the expression "German peace", you ask, dear readers, and not just Germany or the Germans. Among the people glorified in Valhalla, the names of many great representatives, I'm not afraid to say, of world culture, i.e. science and art; and religion, politics and military affairs. Here are Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Leibniz, Gauss, Kepler, Kant, Schiller, Paracelsus and King Frederick the Great, Bismarck, Konrad Adenauer, Einstein, and many other figures who have become the treasure of all mankind. You can't list all of them.

And right there are busts of the Russian Empress Catherine II, field marshals of the Russian army Minich, Barclay de Tolly and Dibich-Zabalkansky! But this is already interesting. After all, these latter have devoted their entire adult life to the service of the Russian Empire. Why did the pragmatic Germans decide to immortalize them in Valhalla? Because they were all of German origin. And it doesn't matter that by their accomplishments they did not bring immediate benefit or benefit to Germany itself, or rather, to the numerous independent German states that existed at that time. They glorified their historical homeland and its people with outstanding achievements in their new homeland. And this is enough for every German to be proud of them.

The hall also features prominent figures from Holland, the Czech Republic and England, who were of "German" origin. And they worked outside Germany or Austria. And they spoke and did not work in German. But they are Germans, and that says it all.

What is all this for? And to the fact that in last days In our country, a wide discussion has developed over the desire of the world-famous scientist of Azerbaijani origin, Lutfi Zadeh, to be buried after death in his homeland, in Azerbaijan. According to media reports, this was announced by his son Norman Zadeh. One would think, what's wrong with that? Anyone wants to rest in their native land. After all, it was in Baku that Lutfi Zadeh was born and lived the first 12 years of his life. And it is at this time that the character and foundations of the worldview of any person are formed. And Lutfi Zadeh always said in his interviews that it was the years spent in Baku that had a significant and lasting influence on his thinking and worldview. There is nothing surprising in the nostalgia of an outstanding scientist for his homeland, where his parents met, where he took his first steps, where he read his first books, where he first went to school ...

But no! There were still spiteful critics who decided not to miss the chance to pin up a person somehow, whom they could not reach in another way. And the old tried and tested methods of nationalist propaganda were used. Say, what did Lutfi Zadeh do for Azerbaijan to bury him here? He does not even know the Azerbaijani language ... And a similar heresy.

Just think! Well, are we really smarter than the Germans, who are proud of Catherine the Great and Barclay de Tolly? And in general, what does it mean to do something for your native country? How is this measured? Is it necessary to sit here and shout some pseudo-patriotic slogans in your native language in order to have the right to be buried in your homeland? Who will understand us in the world then? Does the geography of great accomplishments matter in determining the merits of this or that figure?

Let us recall how many of our compatriots worked outside the republic for the benefit of the then common state - the Soviet Union. The whole country knew many of them by sight. Weren't their successes the successes of Azerbaijan? Weren't we proud of their achievements, even if they were perfect outside our small homeland ...

For example, the same Muslim Magomayev spent most of his creative life in Moscow. And not only during the existence of the USSR, but also already in the independent Russian Federation... And what, we have become less proud of him? And did not thousands of people gather for his funeral, which took place in his homeland, so dearly beloved by him?

Are we not proud of the achievements of General Kerim Kerimov, who for a quarter of a century was the chairman of the USSR State Commission on Manned Space Flights? Kerimov was one of the founders of the Soviet space program, who made a significant contribution to space exploration. All his achievements went to the benefit of the space program of the Soviet Union, and hence the progress of the space field in general. In 2007, the post of already independent Azerbaijan issued a stamp dedicated to the 90th anniversary of Kerim Kerimov. Maybe you shouldn't have, huh? After all, if you follow the logic of these same leavened patriots, what did this outstanding scientist directly do for his historical homeland?

There is another side to this. Someone may not like my words. But don’t we feel awkward and often ashamed of the fact that in the same Russia our fellow tribesmen are mostly known as traders in the markets? After all, it is unpleasant for us when the same Russians see in every Azeri, to put it mildly, a shopkeeper. So why do we not want to be proud of the fact that there are outstanding figures of art and science abroad who represent our nation with honor?

Fortunately, there are no markets filled with Azerbaijanis in America. Often they don't know about our country there. And therefore they are about Azerbaijan, i.e. Americans will be judged by Lutfi Zadeh. And this is already his greatest achievement. Moreover, if he bequeathed to bury himself in Azerbaijan, then this alone proves his attitude towards our country, to which he thus allocates a place on the scientific map of the world. We must remember that Azerbaijan is a small state, and therefore we have no right to be wasteful when it comes to our history, our memory, our culture. And if we talk about science, then how many world-renowned scientists do we have. Yusif Mammadaliyev, Azad Mirzajanzade and ... Lutfi Zadeh. Let our other scientists not be offended, but facts are a stubborn thing. Science does not have and cannot have nationality, science is a universal and universal value. And therefore, world recognition is the most important sign of the success of this or that scientist.

The same Lutfi Zadeh is considered one of the most cited scientists in the world. According to Google Scholar, a free full-text search engine for scientific publications, Lutfi Zadeh's work has been cited 177,934 times to date. For reference, he published back in 1965 a fundamental work on the theory of fuzzy sets, in which he outlined the mathematical apparatus of this theory. In 1973 he proposed the theory of fuzzy logic, later - the theory of soft computing, as well as the theory of verbal calculations and representations (computing with words and perceptions). All his works were fundamental for the development computer technology on a global scale.

Let us repeat once again the hackneyed truth that science is supranational. Was Newton's theory of gravitation any particularly English? Or was Einstein's theory of relativity German, or was it Jewish?

By the way, main work Sir Isaac Newton's "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy" was originally titled "Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica" and was written in Latin! So much for supranationality. And the same Einstein later lived and died in the United States. Like many other German scientists who emigrated from the country after the Nazis came to power.

The human mind, whose product is science, and culture in general, like conscience, is supranational, it is the integration of all truths in all ages and it is impossible to single it out on a national basis. But you can talk about the nationality or ethnicity of the bearers of this common human mind, and on this basis, justify your contribution to world culture.

Today we are striving for the image of a civilized (i.e. cultural) state. However, the path to civilization passes only through the common culture of all mankind (all nations and peoples). We still have to follow the path of common human reason. And here every representative of our people, our nation, who made his contribution to the common human civilizational foundation, is worthy of our respect, and our admiration, and our gratitude. Just because they are. And Lutfi Zadeh is in this row.

The isolation of each nation, in the negative sense, i.e. his alienation from all others and isolation in himself, in essence, is, with the modern progress of science, physically impossible. Therefore, to operate with the concepts of ethnic nationalism and leavened patriotism in relation to representatives of world culture is not only wrong, but also harmful. Moreover, this gives an absolutely wrong message to our young generation, which in this case will consider that it is enough to shout loudly about love for the motherland in their own language to be worthy of all respect. And such an approach will never lead to progress, but on the contrary, to regression and degradation against the background of an increasingly rapidly globalizing world.

And the last thing. There is such a concept in sociology and political science as "Overton's Window". This is the concept of the presence of a framework of an acceptable and unacceptable spectrum of opinions in public statements from the point of view of public morality. That is, there are topics that can and should be discussed. And there are also topics that are ethically unacceptable to discuss. Simply put, their public discussion is bad manners. So, in my opinion, it is a bad form to discuss the last will of anyone. Lutfi Zadeh expressed, according to his son, a desire to be buried in Azerbaijan after death, and we should all treat this with respect, no matter what assessment we would give to his activities. The same Albert Einstein, not perceiving any forms of personality cult, forbade a magnificent burial with loud ceremonies, for which he wished that the place and time of the burial were not disclosed. His relatives and friends, probably, could arrange a public discussion and not fulfill his last will, guided by some good intentions to perpetuate his memory. But he immortalized himself with his whole life and remained in the memory of all mankind. Therefore, according to his will, in the presence of only 12 of his closest friends, his body was burned in the crematorium, and the ashes were scattered in the wind.

The classic of Russian poetry Joseph Brodsky died in 1996, after the collapse of the USSR. But despite the desire of many relatives and friends to bury him in Russia, his widow considered that this would mean resolving the issue of returning to his homeland for Brodsky. Therefore, he was buried in his beloved Venice in the cemetery of San Michele, where Diaghilev and Stravinsky were already buried. They could, probably, also ignore his, albeit unspoken, but obvious desire. But they took it into account. Out of respect for memory.

Nor should we deny the still quite living scientist of world renown in his last request. Moreover, his desire once and for all puts an end to all discussions and disputes regarding his nationality. In the end, this is a great honor for Azerbaijan. Like any real scientist, Lutfi Zadeh is a man of the world. It is not constrained by ethnic or national boundaries. And yet he wants, even after death, but to return forever to his hometown, where he first opened his eyes and whose air he first breathed. And it is indecent to question his right to eternal rest in his native land. It's a shame, gentlemen, it's a shame!

O.BULANOVA

On February 4, 1921, in the village of Novkhani in an intelligent family, where his father was a journalist and his mother was a pediatrician, the genius of world science Lutfi Rahim oglu Aleskerzade was born (February 4, 1921 - September 6, 2017). This name was in his passport, but the whole world knows him as Lutfi Zadeh.

He is a doctor of mathematical sciences, professor, founder of the theory of fuzzy sets and fuzzy logic. His revolutionary theory destroyed Aristotle's double-valued logic that had existed for over two thousand years. In total, he presented five fundamental theories to world science. These theories were used in economics, psychology, linguistics, politics, philosophy, sociology, religious issues, in conflict situations. Those. in areas very far from mathematics.

For several years Lutfi Zadeh studied at the Baku Russian school. In 1931, for certain reasons, his family moved to Iran. In Tehran, Lutfi Zadeh graduated first from the American College (Alborz College), and then from the University of Tehran, receiving a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. While still in college, Lutfi Zadeh meets his first and lifelong love Fania Zand (married Fay Zadeh), who many years later will write about him an autobiographical book "My Life and Travels with the Father of Fuzzy Logic".

Fey was from a family of Dvin Jews who fled Germany to Tehran after the Nazis came to power. Lutfi and Fay have been together since school. Lutfi Zadeh himself said that he had two beloved women - science and Fay. In 1944, Lutfi Zadeh left for the United States, in 1946 he graduated with a master's degree from the famous Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree in electrical engineering.

In 1949 (at the age of 28) he received his doctorate academic degree Ph.D, in 1957 became a professor. The first significant scientific work Lutfi Zadeh became a dissertation devoted to the issues of frequency analysis of non-stationary circuits. In it, he introduced the concept of a non-stationary transfer function, which subsequently received numerous applications in the analysis of non-stationary linear systems. This brought Lutfi Zadeh the first international recognition.

In 1950, together with J. Ragazini, he proposed an interesting generalization of Wiener's theory of prediction. this work found application in the design of finite memory filters and is considered classic today. Then, in 1952, again, together with J. Ragazini, he developed the z-transform method for discrete systems.

This method has also become a classic. In 1953, Lutfi Zadeh developed a new approach to nonlinear filtering and built a hierarchy of nonlinear systems based on the Volterra-Wiener representation. Thus, the foundations were laid for the design of optimal nonlinear processors for detecting useful signals in noise.

In 1959, Lutfi Zadeh moved to California and began working in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. At this time his scientific interests focused mainly on the theory of linear systems and the theory automatic control... An important result was the book "Theory of linear systems (method of state space)", published in 1963 in collaboration with C. Desoer, in which a qualitatively new approach to the theory of linear systems is outlined. The ideas from this work became the source of many modern approaches to the analysis of systems and automatic control.

In 1963-1968, Lutfi Zadeh headed the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of California. By this time, he was already a well-known specialist in the field of systems theory, automatic control theory and their applications. However, his inherent spirit of innovation did not allow him to rest on his laurels, and in 1965, at the age of forty-four, he published the main work of his life in Information and Control magazine - the foundational article on fuzzy sets: Fuzzy Sets. This one, which has great historical meaning, the work gave impetus to a new scientific direction, which caused a powerful resonance throughout the world.

The main idea of ​​Lutfi Zadeh was that real human reasoning based on natural language cannot be described within the framework of traditional mathematical formalisms. The introduction of fuzzy sets - classes with imprecisely defined boundaries, described by membership functions (generalizing the characteristic functions of ordinary sets) - provided the basis for the development of a more flexible approach to the analysis of reasoning and modeling of complex humanistic systems, the behavior of which is described by linguistic rather than numerical variables.

The impetus for this discovery was the realization of the gap between the accuracy of mathematics and the inaccuracy of the real world. Lutfi Zadeh proved that, unlike mathematics, where classes are supposed to have clear boundaries, a person is unlimited in his feelings and perception of the world. This understanding allowed him to create the mathematics of infinity and diversity.

Thus, along with the El-Harezm algebra, a fuzzy algebra appears - the Lutfi Zade algebra. This theory opened a new era in the history of the development of mathematics, cybernetics, computer science and computing. The article has generated a huge stream of publications in the field of fuzzy mathematics. In the 60s and 70s, Lutfi Zadeh's unorthodox ideas met with a very wary and sometimes cold reception in various scientific circles, especially among "pure" mathematicians.

However, the practical potential of the theory of fuzzy sets and fuzzy logic, their ability to model flexible and imprecise constraints, partial manifestation of properties, smooth transition from one situation to another attracted a whole army of applied specialists to this area.

Especially in models of fuzzy control, which have found the broadest industrial application, ranging from household appliances (vacuum cleaners, washing machines with fuzzy logic) and ending with complex control technological processes(control of a blast-furnace process, nuclear power units) and dynamic objects (subway trains, cars, helicopters, robots, etc.). Subsequently, the theory of fuzzy sets and fuzzy logic received truly worldwide recognition. Much credit for this belongs to Lutfi Zadeh himself.

Apart from its permanent work at Berkeley, he worked for many years as a visiting professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, at the IBM Corporation Research Laboratory in San Jose, at Stanford University. He gave lectures in France, England, Canada, Germany, Japan, China, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, Romania, Hungary, Yugoslavia, USSR, Poland, Turkey, India, Brazil, Singapore, Saudi Arabia and in other countries.

Lutfi Zadeh was one of the very few pioneering scientists who generated original scientific ideas and formed new scientific directions... Almost every publication of his became an event in the scientific world. Among the most famous works of Lutfi Zadeh of the 70s, it should be noted "Foundations of a new approach to the analysis of complex systems and decision-making processes", "The concept of a linguistic variable and its application to making approximate decisions", "Fuzzy sets as the basis of the theory of possibility."

In the first two works he introduced and described the concept of a linguistic variable, considered the ways of its application in intelligent systems and control, formulated control ideas based on fuzzy logic, which were then embodied in the technology of fuzzy controllers. In the third article, which opened the first issue of the international journal "Fuzzy Sets and Systems", Lutfi Zadeh proposed a version of the uncertainty calculus based on a non-additive measure of possibility, and, in particular, the interpretation of a fuzzy set as a distribution function of possibilities.

Unlike a fuzzy set, which expresses the inaccuracy of the assessment of a certain attribute, the measure of possibility describes the uncertainty, incompleteness of information associated with the appearance of a particular event. Essentially, this is the way quantitative description(presentation of meaning) expert judgments, which is a generalization of interval analysis and the theory of errors.

In the 80s, Lutfi Zadeh continues to actively work on the problems of the development of fuzzy logic and the theory of possibilities, as well as their application in intelligent systems.

Thus, in the article "The Role of Fuzzy Logic in Uncertainty Management in Expert Systems", he described a method of using fuzzy logic in the interests of presenting inaccurate information and built a number of inference rules based on combining evidence. Then he writes a number of works devoted to the issues of modeling reasoning of common sense, soft computing.

In addition to soft computing, Lutfi Zadeh's interests in the 1990s were in the development of a methodology for computing with words, as well as the computational theory of perceptual evaluations. The viability of any theory is largely determined by its evolutionary potential, the possibility of expanding its basic concepts and constructions, as well as the emergence of new approaches that adjoin this theory, and sometimes compete with it.

Lutfi Zadeh is an internationally renowned scientist, life professor at the University of Berkeley, a member of the IEEE, the American Association for Artificial Intelligence AAAI, ACM, the Austrian Society for Cybernetic Research, a member and honorary member of many academies, an honorary doctor of many universities of the most different countries... His name is inscribed in golden letters in the world history of scientific discoveries.

Lutfi Zadeh is a laureate of a whole constellation of the most prestigious international awards, winner of the highest awards, including Azerbaijani ones.

As a man, Lutfi Zadeh was very modest, possessed a rare ability to laugh at himself - on the door of his office there was a cartoon made on himself. His modesty did not extend only to science: in science he was bold and audacious.

Lutfi Zadeh glorified Azerbaijan, and no matter how pretentious it may sound, Azerbaijan can rightfully be proud that he has such a son.

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lotfi Zadeh
Lotfi zadeh
(2004)
Birth name:	Lutfali Rahimoglu Askerzade / Lütfəli Rəhimoğlu Əsgərzadə
Occupation:	mathematics (founder of the theory of fuzzy sets and fuzzy logic), electrical structures (signal processes and analyzers)
Date of Birth:
Father:	Rahim Askerzade
Mother:	Feiga Moiseevna Korenman
Spouse:	Fanya Sand
Children:	Stella Zade, Norman Zade
Awards and prizes:	Ehringen Medal (1976)

Biography

After graduation, he worked with his father as a supplier of building materials for the American troops stationed in Iran, moved to the United States in July 1944 and entered in September (received a master's degree in electrical engineering in 1946). At that time, Lotfi Zadeh's parents lived in New York (his mother worked as a doctor), where he entered graduate school at Columbia University, and after defending his dissertation in 1949, he remained there as an assistant in the engineering department. Since 1959 he has been working at the University of California (Berkeley).

Contribution to science

He published his fundamental work on fuzzy set theory in 1965, in which he outlined the mathematical apparatus of the theory of fuzzy sets. In 1973 he proposed the theory of fuzzy logic, later - the theory of soft computing (eng. soft computing), as well as the theory of verbal computation and representations (eng. computing with words and perceptions ).

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Literature

• Lotfi Zadeh: From computing with numbers to computing with words - from manipulation of measurements to manipulation of perceptions in International Journal of Applied Math and Computer Science, pp. 307–324, vol. 12, no. 3, 2002.
• Fay Zadeh. My life and travels with the father of fuzzy logic. TSI Press: Albuquerque, 1998 (in Russian: Life and travels with the father of fuzzy logic from Fey Zade. Baku: Chashyoglu, 2001).

Links

• - Berkeley, University of California (eng.)
• (English)

Excerpt from Lotfi Zadeh

Princess Marya begged her brother to wait another day, said that she knew how unhappy her father would be if Andrei left without making peace with him; but Prince Andrew replied that he would probably soon come again from the army, that he would certainly write to his father, and that now the longer he stayed, the more this discord would be irritated.
- Adieu, Andre! Rappelez vous que les malheurs viennent de Dieu, et que les hommes ne sont jamais coupables, [Farewell, Andrey! Remember that misfortunes come from God and that people are never to blame.] - were last words, which he heard from his sister when he said goodbye to her.
“This is how it should be! - thought Prince Andrey, leaving the alley of the Lysogorsk house. - She, a pitiful innocent creature, is left to be devoured by an old man who has lost his mind. The old man feels that he is guilty, but he cannot change himself. My boy grows up and enjoys a life in which he will be the same as everyone else, deceived or deceiving. I'm going to the army, why? “I don’t know myself, and I wish to meet that person whom I despise in order to give him a chance to kill me and laugh at me!” And before there were all the same living conditions, but before they all tied together, but now everything fell apart. Some meaningless phenomena, without any connection, one after another presented themselves to Prince Andrey.

Prince Andrew arrived at the army headquarters at the end of June. The troops of the first army, the one with which the sovereign was, were located in a fortified camp near Drissa; the troops of the second army were retreating, seeking to unite with the first army, from which - as they said - they were cut off by large forces of the French. Everyone was dissatisfied with the general course of military affairs in the Russian army; but no one thought about the danger of an invasion of the Russian provinces, no one even thought that the war could be transferred further than the western Polish provinces.
Prince Andrew found Barclay de Tolly, to whom he was appointed, on the banks of the Drissa. Since there was not a single large village or town in the vicinity of the camp, the entire huge number of generals and courtiers who were with the army were located in a circle of ten versts along the best houses villages, on this and on the other side of the river. Barclay de Tolly stood four miles from the sovereign. He dryly and coldly received Bolkonsky and said with his German reprimand that he would report him to the sovereign to determine his appointment, and in the meantime asked him to be at his headquarters. Anatol Kuragin, whom Prince Andrei hoped to find in the army, was not here: he was in Petersburg, and this news pleased Bolkonsky. The interest of the center of the immense war being carried out occupied Prince Andrey, and he was glad for a while to free himself from the irritation that the thought of Kuragin produced in him. During the first four days, during which he did not demand anywhere, Prince Andrei traveled around the entire fortified camp and, with the help of his knowledge and conversations with knowledgeable people, tried to form a certain concept about it. But the question of whether this camp was profitable or unprofitable remained unresolved for Prince Andrew. He had already managed to deduce from his military experience the conviction that in military affairs the most thoughtful plans do not mean anything (as he saw in the Austerlitz campaign), that everything depends on how the enemy responds to unexpected and unforeseen actions. that everything depends on how and by whom the whole business is conducted. In order to understand this last question, Prince Andrew, using his position and acquaintances, tried to understand the nature of the army management, the persons and parties involved in it, and deduced for himself the following concept of the state of affairs.
When the sovereign was still in Vilna, the army was divided into three: 1 I army was under the command of Barclay de Tolly, 2 I was under the command of Bagration, 3 I was under the command of Tormasov. The sovereign was with the first army, but not as commander-in-chief. The order did not say that the sovereign would command, it only said that the sovereign would be with the army. In addition, the sovereign did not personally have the headquarters of the commander-in-chief, but there was the headquarters of the imperial headquarters. Under him was the chief of the imperial staff, Quartermaster General Prince Volkonsky, generals, aide-de-camp, diplomatic officials and a large number of foreigners, but there was no army headquarters. In addition, without a position with the sovereign there were: Arakcheev - the former Minister of War, Count Bennigsen - by the rank of the senior of the generals, Grand Duke Tsarevich Konstantin Pavlovich, Count Rumyantsev - the chancellor, Stein - the former Prussian minister, Armfeld - the Swedish general, Pful - the main compiler plan of the campaign, Adjutant General Paulucci - a Sardinian native, Wolzogen and many others. Although these persons were without military posts in the army, but in their position they had influence, and often the corps commander and even the commander-in-chief did not know how Bennigsen, or the Grand Duke, or Arakcheev, or Prince Volkonsky, asked or advised this or that. and did not know whether such an order in the form of advice was coming from his person or from the sovereign and whether it was necessary or not necessary to execute it. But this was an external setting, the essential meaning of the presence of the sovereign and all these persons, from the court point (and in the presence of the sovereign, everything becomes courtiers), was clear to everyone. He was as follows: the sovereign did not assume the title of commander-in-chief, but was in charge of all the armies; the people around him were his assistants. Arakcheev was a faithful guardian of order and bodyguard of the sovereign; Bennigsen was the landowner of the Vilna province, who seemed to be doing les honneurs [was busy with the business of receiving the sovereign] of the region, but in essence he was a good general, useful for advice and in order to have him always ready to replace Barclay. The Grand Duke was here because it pleased him. Former Minister Stein was here because he was useful to the council and because Emperor Alexander held him in high esteem. personal qualities... Armfeld was an evil Napoleon hater and a self-confident general that always had an impact on Alexander. Paulucci was here because he was bold and decisive in speeches, the General Adjutants were here because they were everywhere where the sovereign was, and, finally, - most importantly - Pful was here because he, having drawn up a plan of war against Napoleon and forcing Alexander to believe in the feasibility of this plan, led the whole war. Under Pfuel, there was Wolzogen, who conveyed Pfuel's thoughts in a more accessible form than Pfuel himself, a harsh, self-confident to contempt for everything, armchair theorist.
In addition to these named persons, Russians and foreigners (especially foreigners, who, with the boldness characteristic of people in their activities among a foreign environment, offered new unexpected thoughts every day), there were many more minor persons who were with the army because their principals were there.
Among all the thoughts and voices in this huge, restless, brilliant and proud world, Prince Andrew saw the following, sharper, divisions of directions and parties.
The first party was: Pful and his followers, the theorists of war, who believe that there is a science of war and that this science has its own invariable laws, the laws of oblique movement, circumvention, etc. Pful and his followers demanded a retreat into the interior of the country, deviations according to the exact laws prescribed by the alleged theory of war, and in any deviation from this theory, they saw only barbarism, ignorance or malice. German princes, Wolzogen, Wintzingerode and others, mostly Germans, belonged to this party.
The second batch was the opposite of the first. As always happens, at one extreme there were representatives of the other extreme. The people of this party were those who, even from Vilna, demanded an offensive into Poland and freedom from any plans drawn up in advance. In addition to the fact that the representatives of this party were representatives of bold actions, they at the same time were representatives of nationality, as a result of which they became even one-sided in the dispute. These were Russians: Bagration, Yermolov, who was beginning to rise, and others. At this time, the well-known joke of Ermolov was spread, as if he asked the sovereign for one favor - to make him the Germans. The people of this party said, remembering Suvorov, that we should not think, not prick the map with needles, but fight, beat the enemy, not let him into Russia and not let the army lose heart.