18,458 research outputs found
Mathematical Foundations of Consciousness
We employ the Zermelo-Fraenkel Axioms that characterize sets as mathematical
primitives. The Anti-foundation Axiom plays a significant role in our
development, since among other of its features, its replacement for the Axiom
of Foundation in the Zermelo-Fraenkel Axioms motivates Platonic
interpretations. These interpretations also depend on such allied notions for
sets as pictures, graphs, decorations, labelings and various mappings that we
use. A syntax and semantics of operators acting on sets is developed. Such
features enable construction of a theory of non-well-founded sets that we use
to frame mathematical foundations of consciousness. To do this we introduce a
supplementary axiomatic system that characterizes experience and consciousness
as primitives. The new axioms proceed through characterization of so- called
consciousness operators. The Russell operator plays a central role and is shown
to be one example of a consciousness operator. Neural networks supply striking
examples of non-well-founded graphs the decorations of which generate
associated sets, each with a Platonic aspect. Employing our foundations, we
show how the supervening of consciousness on its neural correlates in the brain
enables the framing of a theory of consciousness by applying appropriate
consciousness operators to the generated sets in question
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.
Doing and Showing
The persisting gap between the formal and the informal mathematics is due to
an inadequate notion of mathematical theory behind the current formalization
techniques. I mean the (informal) notion of axiomatic theory according to which
a mathematical theory consists of a set of axioms and further theorems deduced
from these axioms according to certain rules of logical inference. Thus the
usual notion of axiomatic method is inadequate and needs a replacement.Comment: 54 pages, 2 figure
Linear superposition as a core theorem of quantum empiricism
Clarifying the nature of the quantum state is at the root of
the problems with insight into (counterintuitive) quantum postulates. We
provide a direct-and math-axiom free-empirical derivation of this object as an
element of a vector space. Establishing the linearity of this structure-quantum
superposition-is based on a set-theoretic creation of ensemble formations and
invokes the following three principia: quantum statics,
doctrine of a number in the physical theory, and
mathematization of matching the two observations with each
other; quantum invariance.
All of the constructs rest upon a formalization of the minimal experimental
entity: observed micro-event, detector click. This is sufficient for producing
the -numbers, axioms of linear vector space (superposition
principle), statistical mixtures of states, eigenstates and their spectra, and
non-commutativity of observables. No use is required of the concept of time. As
a result, the foundations of theory are liberated to a significant extent from
the issues associated with physical interpretations, philosophical exegeses,
and mathematical reconstruction of the entire quantum edifice.Comment: No figures. 64 pages; 68 pages(+4), overall substantial improvements;
70 pages(+2), further improvement
Measurement and self-adjoint operators
The approximations of classical mechanics resulting from quantum mechanics
are richer than a correspondence of classical dynamical variables with
self-adjoint Hilbert space operators. Assertion that classical dynamic
variables correspond to self-adjoint Hilbert space operators is disputable and
sets unnatural limits on quantum mechanics. Well known examples of classical
dynamical variables not associated with self-adjoint Hilbert space operators
are discussed as a motivation for the realizations of quantum field theory that
lack Hermitian field operators but exhibit interaction.Comment: 17 page
Pierre Duhemâs philosophy and history of science
LEITE (FĂĄbio Rodrigo) â STOFFEL (Jean-François), Introduction (pp. 3-6). BARRA (Eduardo Salles de O.) â SANTOS (Ricardo Batista dos), Duhemâs analysis of Newtonian method and the logical priority of physics over metaphysics (pp. 7-19). BORDONI (Stefano), The French roots of Duhemâs early historiography and epistemology (pp. 20-35). CHIAPPIN (JosĂ© R. N.) â LARANJEIRAS (CĂĄssio Costa), Duhemâs critical analysis of mechaÂniÂcism and his defense of a formal conception of theoretical phyÂsics (pp. 36-53). GUEGUEN (Marie) â PSILLOS (Stathis), Anti-Âscepticism and epistemic humility in Pierre Duhemâs philosophy of science (pp. 54-72). LISTON (Michael), Duhem : images of science, historical continuity, and the first crisis in physics (pp. 73-84). MAIOCCHI (Roberto), Duhem in pre-war Italian philosÂophy : the reasons of an absence (pp. 85-92). HERNĂNDEZ MĂRQUEZ (VĂctor Manuel), Was Pierre Duhem an «esprit de finesse» ? (pp. 93-107). NEEDHAM (Paul), Was Duhem justified in not distinguishing between physical and chemical atomism ? (pp. 108-111). OLGUIN (Roberto Estrada), «Bon sens» and «noĂ»s» (pp. 112-126). OLIVEIRA (Amelia J.), Duhemâs legacy for the change in the historiography of science : An analysis based on Kuhnâs writings (pp. 127-139). PRĂNCIPE (JoĂŁo), PoincarĂ© and Duhem : Resonances in their first epistemological reflecÂtions (pp. 140-156). MONDRAGON (DamiĂĄn Islas), Book review of «Pierre Duhem : entre fĂsica y metafĂsica» (pp. 157-159). STOFFEL (Jean-François), Book review of P. Duhem : «La thĂ©orie physique : son objet, sa structure» / edit. by S. Roux (pp. 160-162). STOFFEL (Jean-François), Book review of St. Bordoni : «When historiography met epistemology» (pp. 163-165)
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