8,234 research outputs found
The existence of superluminal particles is consistent with the kinematics of Einstein's special theory of relativity
Within an axiomatic framework of kinematics, we prove that the existence of
faster than light particles is logically independent of Einstein's special
theory of relativity. Consequently, it is consistent with the kinematics of
special relativity that there might be faster than light particles.Comment: 19 pages, 3 figure
Impossibility of Gathering, a Certification
Recent advances in Distributed Computing highlight models and algorithms for
autonomous swarms of mobile robots that self-organise and cooperate to solve
global objectives. The overwhelming majority of works so far considers handmade
algorithms and proofs of correctness. This paper builds upon a previously
proposed formal framework to certify the correctness of impossibility results
regarding distributed algorithms that are dedicated to autonomous mobile robots
evolving in a continuous space. As a case study, we consider the problem of
gathering all robots at a particular location, not known beforehand. A
fundamental (but not yet formally certified) result, due to Suzuki and
Yamashita, states that this simple task is impossible for two robots executing
deterministic code and initially located at distinct positions. Not only do we
obtain a certified proof of the original impossibility result, we also get the
more general impossibility of gathering with an even number of robots, when any
two robots are possibly initially at the same exact location.Comment: 10
Axioms for consensus functions on the n-cube
An elementary general result is proved that allows for simple
characterizations of well-known location/consensus functions (median, mean and
center) on the n-cube. In addition, alternate new characterizations are given
for the median and anti-median functions on the n-cube.Comment: 12 page
Means and covariance functions for geostatistical compositional data: an axiomatic approach
This work focuses on the characterization of the central tendency of a sample
of compositional data. It provides new results about theoretical properties of
means and covariance functions for compositional data, with an axiomatic
perspective. Original results that shed new light on the geostatistical
modeling of compositional data are presented. As a first result, it is shown
that the weighted arithmetic mean is the only central tendency characteristic
satisfying a small set of axioms, namely continuity, reflexivity and marginal
stability. Moreover, this set of axioms also implies that the weights must be
identical for all parts of the composition. This result has deep consequences
on the spatial multivariate covariance modeling of compositional data. In a
geostatistical setting, it is shown as a second result that the proportional
model of covariance functions (i.e., the product of a covariance matrix and a
single correlation function) is the only model that provides identical kriging
weights for all components of the compositional data. As a consequence of these
two results, the proportional model of covariance function is the only
covariance model compatible with reflexivity and marginal stability
No Profitable Decomposition in Quasi-Linear Allocation Problems
We study the problem of allocating a bundle of perfectly divisible private goods from an axiomatic point of view, in situations where compensations can be made through monetary transfers. The key property we impose on the allocation rule requires that no agent should be able to gain by decomposing the problem into sequences of subproblems. Combined with additional standard properties, it leads to a characterization of the rule that shares the total surplus equally. Hence a traditional welfarist rule emerges as the unique consequence of our axioms phrased in a natural economic environment.Social Choice; Axiomatic Bargaining; Welfarism; Egalitarianism
Review of Wittgensteinâs Philosophical Investigations by David Stern (2004)(review revised 2019)
Overall Stern does a fine analysis of Wittgenstein (W) and is one of the top W scholars, but in my view, they all fall short of a full appreciation, as I explain at length in this review and many others. If one does not understand W (and preferably Searle also), then I don't see how one could have more than a superficial understanding of philosophy and of higher order thought and thus of all complex behavior (psychology, sociology, anthropology, history, literature, society). In a nutshell, W demonstrated that when you have shown how a sentence is used in the context of interest, there is nothing more to say. I will start with a few notable quotes and then give what I think are the minimum considerations necessary to understand Wittgenstein, philosophy and human behavior.
As Stern is aware, throughout Wâs works, understanding is bedeviled by possible alternative and consequently often infelicitous translations from often unedited and handwritten German notes, with âSatzâ being frequently incorrectly rendered as âpropositionâ (which is a testable or falsifiable statement) when referring to our non-falsifiable psychological axioms, as opposed to the correct âsentenceâ, which CAN be applied to our axiomatic true-only statements such as âthese are my handsâ or âTyrannosaurs were large carnivorous dinosaurs that lived about 50 million years agoâ.
Finally, let me suggest that with the perspective I have encouraged here, W is at the center of contemporary philosophy and psychology and is not obscure, difficult or irrelevant, but scintillating, profound and crystal clear and that to miss him is to miss one of the greatest intellectual adventures possible.
Those wishing a comprehensive up to date framework for human behavior from the modern two systems view may consult my book âThe Logical Structure of Philosophy, Psychology, Mind and Language in Ludwig Wittgenstein and John Searleâ 2nd ed (2019). Those interested in more of my writings may see âTalking Monkeys--Philosophy, Psychology, Science, Religion and Politics on a Doomed Planet--Articles and Reviews 2006-2019 3rd ed (2019) and Suicidal Utopian Delusions in the 21st Century 4th ed (2019
Should we discount future generationsâ welfare? A survey on the âpureâ discount rate debate.
In A Mathematical Theory of Saving (1928), Frank Ramsey not only laid the foundations of the fruitful optimal growth literature, but also launched a major moral debate: should we discount future generationsâ well-being? While Ramsey regarded such âpureâ discounting as âethically indefensibleâ, several philosophers and economists have developed arguments justifying the âpureâ discounting practice since the early 1960s. This essay consists of a survey of those arguments. After a brief examination of the â often implicit â treatment of future generationsâ welfare by utilitarian thinkers before Ramseyâs view was expressed, later arguments of various kinds are analysed. It is argued that, under the assumption of perfect certainty regarding future human life, the âpureâ discounting practice seems ethically untenable. However, once we account for the uncertainty regarding future generationsâ existence, âpureâ discounting seems more acceptable, even if strong criticisms still remain, especially regarding the adequateness of the expected utility theory in such a normative context. those limits would be faced by any other consequences-based ethical theory in front of Different Number Choices.
Random assignment with multi-unit demands
We consider the multi-unit random assignment problem in which agents express
preferences over objects and objects are allocated to agents randomly based on
the preferences. The most well-established preference relation to compare
random allocations of objects is stochastic dominance (SD) which also leads to
corresponding notions of envy-freeness, efficiency, and weak strategyproofness.
We show that there exists no rule that is anonymous, neutral, efficient and
weak strategyproof. For single-unit random assignment, we show that there
exists no rule that is anonymous, neutral, efficient and weak
group-strategyproof. We then study a generalization of the PS (probabilistic
serial) rule called multi-unit-eating PS and prove that multi-unit-eating PS
satisfies envy-freeness, weak strategyproofness, and unanimity.Comment: 17 page
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