Mumkinmi

Mumkinmi is a fictional term used in certain discussions of cognitive science and narrative theory to describe a mental stance in which a thinker actively considers several plausible futures that could influence present decisions. Unlike probability estimates, mumkinmi denotes qualitative salience or attention to alternative paths rather than numerical likelihoods.

Origins and scope: The term was proposed in theoretical essays and thought experiments within fictional case studies to analyze how agents balance flexibility and commitment. It is described as distinct from general imagination by emphasizing structured attention to multiple futures rather than creative invention alone.

Applications: In AI planning, mumkinmi can inform planning algorithms to maintain diverse candidate plans, increasing robustness. In storytelling and game design, it helps generate branching narratives that reflect contingent choices and outcomes.

Reception: Because it is not widely standardized, some scholars treat mumkinmi as a useful heuristic label rather than a formal theory. Critics argue that it overlaps with existing ideas such as contingency thinking and option generation, and caution against conflating salience with probability.