134 research outputs found
Emergent bipartiteness in a society of knights and knaves
We propose a simple model of a social network based on so-called
knights-and-knaves puzzles. The model describes the formation of networks
between two classes of agents where links are formed by agents introducing
their neighbours to others of their own class. We show that if the proportion
of knights and knaves is within a certain range, the network self-organizes to
a perfectly bipartite state. However, if the excess of one of the two classes
is greater than a threshold value, bipartiteness is not observed. We offer a
detailed theoretical analysis for the behaviour of the model, investigate its
behaviou r in the thermodynamic limit, and argue that it provides a simple
example of a topology-driven model whose behaviour is strongly reminiscent of a
first-order phase transitions far from equilibrium.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure
On Teaching Discrete Mathematics to Freshman Computer Science Students
Discrete Mathematics is an inevitable part of any undergraduate computer science degree programme. However, today's computer science student typically finds this to be at best a necessary evil with which they struggle to engage. Twenty years ago, we started to address this issue seriously in our university, and we have instituted a number of innovations throughout the years which have had a positive effect on engagement and, thus, attainment. In this paper, we describe and motivate the innovations which we introduced, and provide a detailed analysis of how and why engagement and attainment levels varied over two decades as a direct result of these innovation
Rejection in Łukasiewicz's and Słupecki's Sense
The idea of rejection originated by Aristotle. The notion of rejection
was introduced into formal logic by Łukasiewicz [20]. He applied it to
complete syntactic characterization of deductive systems using an axiomatic
method of rejection of propositions [22, 23]. The paper gives not only genesis,
but also development and generalization of the notion of rejection. It also
emphasizes the methodological approach to biaspectual axiomatic method of
characterization of deductive systems as acceptance (asserted) systems and
rejection (refutation) systems, introduced by Łukasiewicz and developed by
his student Słupecki, the pioneers of the method, which becomes relevant in
modern approaches to logic
Roots and (re)sources of value (in)definiteness versus contextuality. A contribution to the Pitowsky Volume in memory of Itamar Pitowsky (1950--2010)
In Itamar Pitowsky's reading of the Gleason and the Kochen-Specker theorems,
in particular, his Logical Indeterminacy Principle, the emphasis is on the
value indefiniteness of observables which are not within the preparation
context. This is in stark contrast to the prevalent term {\em contextuality}
used by many researchers in informal, heuristic yet omni-realistic and
potentially misleading ways. This paper discusses both concepts and argues in
favor of value indefiniteness in all but a continuum of contexts intertwining
in the vector representing a single pure (prepared) state. Even more
restrictively, and inspired by operationalism but not justified by Pitowsky's
Logical Indeterminacy Principle or similar, one could identify with a "quantum
state" a single quantum context -- aka the respective maximal observable, or,
in terms of its spectral decomposition, the associated orthonormal basis - from
the continuum of intertwining context, as per the associated maximal observable
actually or implicitly measured.Comment: 11 pages, revised and polished, discussion on joint probabilities of
observables in different contexts adde
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