7,606 research outputs found
An observational model for spatial logics
Spatiality is an important aspect of distributed systems because their computations depend both on the dynamic behaviour and on the structure of their components. Spatial logics have been proposed as the formal device for expressing spatial properties of systems.
We define CCSâ„, a CCS-like calculus whose semantics allows one to observe spatial aspects of systems on the top of which we define models of the spatial logic. Our alternative definition of models is proved equivalent to the standard one. Furthermore, logical equivalence is characterized in terms of the bisimilarity of CCSâ„
Quantum Non-Objectivity from Performativity of Quantum Phenomena
We analyze the logical foundations of quantum mechanics (QM) by stressing
non-objectivity of quantum observables which is a consequence of the absence of
logical atoms in QM. We argue that the matter of quantum non-objectivity is
that, on the one hand, the formalism of QM constructed as a mathematical theory
is self-consistent, but, on the other hand, quantum phenomena as results of
experimenter's performances are not self-consistent. This self-inconsistency is
an effect of that the language of QM differs much from the language of human
performances. The first is the language of a mathematical theory which uses
some Aristotelian and Russellian assumptions (e.g., the assumption that there
are logical atoms). The second language consists of performative propositions
which are self-inconsistent only from the viewpoint of conventional
mathematical theory, but they satisfy another logic which is non-Aristotelian.
Hence, the representation of quantum reality in linguistic terms may be
different: from a mathematical theory to a logic of performative propositions.
To solve quantum self-inconsistency, we apply the formalism of non-classical
self-referent logics
Can we learn anything from economic geography proper?.
This paper considers the ways geographers (proper) and (geographical) economists approach the study of economic geography. It argues that there are two areas where the approach of the latter is more robust than the former. First, formal models identify which assumptions are crucial in obtaining a particular result and enforce internal consistency when moving from micro to macro behaviour. Second, empirical work tends to be more rigorous. There is much greater emphasis on identifying and testing refutable predictions from theory and on dealing with issues of observational equivalence. But any approach can be improved and so the paper also identifies ways in which geographical economists could learn from the direction taken by economic geographers proper.
Dynamic-Epistemic reasoning on distributed systems
We propose a new logic designed for modelling and reasoning about information flow and information exchange between spatially located (but potentially mobile), interconnected agents witnessing a distributed computation. This is a major problem in the field of distributed systems, covering many different issues, with potential applications from Computer Science and Economy to Chemistry and Systems Biology. Underpinning on the dual algebraical-coalgebraical characteristics of process calculi, we design a decidable and completely axiomatizad logic that combines the processalgebraical/ equational and the modal/coequational features and is developed for process-algebraical semantics. The construction is done by mixing operators from dynamic and epistemic logics with operators from spatial logics for distributed and mobile systems. This is the preliminary version of a paper that will appear in Proceedings of the second Conference on Algebra and Coalgebra in Computer Science (CALCO2007), LNCS 4624, Springer, 2007. The original publication is available at www.springerlink.co
Vienna Circle and Logical Analysis of Relativity Theory
In this paper we present some of our school's results in the area of building
up relativity theory (RT) as a hierarchy of theories in the sense of logic. We
use plain first-order logic (FOL) as in the foundation of mathematics (FOM) and
we build on experience gained in FOM.
The main aims of our school are the following: We want to base the theory on
simple, unambiguous axioms with clear meanings. It should be absolutely
understandable for any reader what the axioms say and the reader can decide
about each axiom whether he likes it. The theory should be built up from these
axioms in a straightforward, logical manner. We want to provide an analysis of
the logical structure of the theory. We investigate which axioms are needed for
which predictions of RT. We want to make RT more transparent logically, easier
to understand, easier to change, modular, and easier to teach. We want to
obtain deeper understanding of RT.
Our work can be considered as a case-study showing that the Vienna Circle's
(VC) approach to doing science is workable and fruitful when performed with
using the insights and tools of mathematical logic acquired since its formation
years at the very time of the VC activity. We think that logical positivism was
based on the insight and anticipation of what mathematical logic is capable
when elaborated to some depth. Logical positivism, in great part represented by
VC, influenced and took part in the birth of modern mathematical logic. The
members of VC were brave forerunners and pioneers.Comment: 25 pages, 1 firgure
Can We Learn Anything from Economic Geography Proper?
Abstract This paper considers the ways geographers (proper) and (geographical) economists approach the study of economic geography. It argues that there are two areas where the approach of the latter is more robust than the former. First, formal models both enforce internal consistency and allow one to move from micro to macro behaviour. Second, empirical work tends to be more rigorous, emphasising the importance of getting representative samples, testing whether findings are significant, identifying and testing empirical predictions from theory and dealing with issues of observational equivalence. But any approach can be improved and so the paper also identifies ways in which geographical economists could learn from the direction taken by economic geographers proper.Economic geography, geographical economics, regional science, relational economic geography
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