Granular Computing

Abstract The central ideas and principles of the new paradigm of granular computing are the problem conceptualizations and problem solving using different levels of granularity. On the one hand, one can focus on a suitable level of relevant conceptualizations without considering irrelevant lower level details. On the other hand, one can change granularity at different stages. This article provides an introduction to granular computing as a way of thinking and a general method of problem solving that embraces a variety of concrete theories and methods.