How to Reason Coinductively Informally

We start by giving an overview of the theory of indexed inductively and coinductively defined sets. We consider the theory of strictly positive indexed inductive definitions in a set theoretic setting. We show the equiv-alence between the definition as an indexed initial algebra, the definition via an induction principle, and the set theoretic definition of indexed in-ductive definitions. We review as well the equivalence of unique iteration, unique primitive recursion, and induction. Then we review the theory of indexed coinductively defined sets or final coalgebras. We construct indexed coinductively defined sets set theoretically, and show the equiv-alence between the category theoretic definition, the principle of unique coiteration, of unique corecursion, and of iteration together with bisimula-tion as equality. Bisimulation will be defined as an indexed coinductively defined set. Therefore proofs of bisimulation can be carried out corecur-sively. This fact can be considered together with bisimulation implying equality as the coinduction principle for the underlying coinductively de-fined set. Finally we introduce various schemata for reasoning about coin-ductively defined sets in an informal way: the schemata of corecursion, of indexed corecursion, of coinduction, and of corecursion for coinductively defined relations. This allows to reason about coinductively defined sets similarly as one does when reasoning about inductively defined sets using schemata of induction. We obtain the notion of a coinduction hypothesis, which is the dual of an induction hypothesis.

Merging the A- and Q-spectral theories

Let $G$ be a graph with adjacency matrix $A\left( G\right)$, and let $D\left( G\right)$ be the diagonal matrix of the degrees of $G.$ The signless Laplacian $Q\left( G\right)$ of $G$ is defined as $Q\left( G\right) :=A\left( G\right) +D\left( G\right)$. Cvetkovi\'{c} called the study of the adjacency matrix the $A$% \textit{-spectral theory}, and the study of the signless Laplacian--the $Q$\textit{-spectral theory}. During the years many similarities and differences between these two theories have been established. To track the gradual change of $A\left( G\right)$ into $Q\left( G\right)$ in this paper it is suggested to study the convex linear combinations $A_{\alpha }\left( G\right)$ of $A\left( G\right)$ and $D\left( G\right)$ defined by $$A_{\alpha}\left( G\right) :=\alpha D\left( G\right) +\left( 1-\alpha\right) A\left( G\right) \text{, \ \ }0\leq\alpha\leq1.$$ This study sheds new light on $A\left( G\right)$ and $Q\left( G\right)$, and yields some surprises, in particular, a novel spectral Tur\'{a}n theorem. A number of challenging open problems are discussed.Comment: 26 page

Aftermath Of The Nothing

This article consists in two parts that are complementary and autonomous at the same time. In the first one, we develop some surprising consequences of the introduction of a new constant called Lambda in order to represent the object ``nothing" or ``void" into a standard set theory. On a conceptual level, it allows to see sets in a new light and to give a legitimacy to the empty set. On a technical level, it leads to a relative resolution of the anomaly of the intersection of a family free of sets. In the second part, we show the interest of introducing an operator of potentiality into a standard set theory. Among other results, this operator allows to prove the existence of a hierarchy of empty sets and to propose a solution to the puzzle of "ubiquity" of the empty set. Both theories are presented with equi-consistency results (model and interpretation). Here is a declaration of intent : in each case, the starting point is a conceptual questionning; the technical tools come in a second time\\[0.4cm] \textbf{Keywords:} nothing, void, empty set, null-class, zero-order logic with quantifiers, potential, effective, empty set, ubiquity, hierarchy, equality, equality by the bottom, identity, identification

Constructive Mathematics in Theory and Programming Practice

The first part of the paper introduces the varieties of modern constructive mathematics, concentrating on Bishop’s constructive mathematics(BISH). It gives a sketch of both Myhill’s axiomatic system for BISH and a constructive axiomatic development of the real line R. The second part of the paper focuses on the relation between constructive mathematics and programming, with emphasis on Martin-Lof’s theory of types as a formal system for BISH

The Methodology of Political Theory

This article examines the methodology of a core branch of contemporary political theory or philosophy: “analytic” political theory. After distinguishing political theory from related fields, such as political science, moral philosophy, and legal theory, the article discusses the analysis of political concepts. It then turns to the notions of principles and theories, as distinct from concepts, and reviews the methods of assessing such principles and theories, for the purpose of justifying or criticizing them. Finally, it looks at a recent debate on how abstract and idealized political theory should be, and assesses the significance of disagreement in political theory. The discussion is carried out from an angle inspired by the philosophy of science

Managing and monitoring equality and diversity in UK sport: An evaluation of the sporting equals Racial Equality Standard and its impact on organizational change

Despite greater attention to racial equality in sport in recent years, the progress of national sports organizations toward creating equality of outcomes has been limited in the United Kingdom. The collaboration of the national sports agencies, equity organizations and national sports organizations (including national governing bodies of sport) has focused on Equality Standards. The authors revisit an earlier impact study of the Racial Equality Standard in sport and supplement it with another round of interview material to assess changing strategies to manage diversity in British sport. In particular, it tracks the impact on organizational commitment to diversity through the period of the establishment of the Racial Equality Standard and its replacement by an Equality Standard that deals with other diversity issues alongside race and ethnicity. As a result, the authors question whether the new, generic Equality Standard is capable of addressing racial diversity and promoting equality of outcomes. © 2006 Sage Publications