Reductionist and Antireductionist Perspectives on Dynamics

In this paper reduction and its pragmatics are discussed in the light of the development in Computer Science of languages to describe processes. The design of higher-level description languages within Computer Science has had the aim of allowing for description of the dynamics of processes in the (physical) world on a higher level avoiding all (physical) details of these processes. The higher description levels developed have dramatically increased the complexity of applications that came within reach. The pragmatic attitude of a (scientific) practitioner in this area has become inherently anti-reductionist, but based on well-established reduction relations. The paper discusses how this perspective can be related to reduction in general, and to other domains where description of dynamics plays a main role, in particular, biological and cognitive domains.

A Temporal Modelling Environment for Internally Grounded Beliefs, Desires and Intentions

In this paper the internal dynamics of mental states, in particular states based on beliefs, desires and intentions, is formalised using a temporal language. A software environment is presented that can be used to specify, simulate and analyse temporal dependencies between mental states in relation to traces of them. If also relevant data on internal physical states over time are available, these can be analysed with respect to their relation to mental states as well

Specification, Analysis and Simulation of the Dynamics Within an Organisation

Abstract. In this paper a modelling approach to the dynamics within a multi-agent organisation is presented. A declarative, executable specification language for dynamics within an organisation is proposed as a basis for simulation. Moreover, to be able to specify and analyse dynamic properties within an organisation, another declarative specification language is put forward, which is much more expressive than the executable language for simulations. Supporting tools have been implemented that consist of a software environment for simulation of organisation models and a software environment for analysis of dynamic properties against traces of dynamics within an organisation.

Temporal Modelling of Intentional Dynamics

this paper the internal dynamics of mental states based on beliefs, desires and intentions, is formalised using a temporal language. The use of a software environment to specify, simulate and analyse temporal dependencies between these intentional states in relation to behavioral traces is addressed. 1. INTRODUCTION Dynamics has become an important focus within Cognitive Science in recent years; e.g., (Port & van Gelder, 1995). As one of the aspects, the dynamics of the interaction with the external world, and its implications for the representational content and dynamics of mental states have received attention; e.g., (Bickhard, 1993; Christensen & Hooker, 2000). Another important aspect is the internal dynamics of mental states, as can be found, for example in the dynamics of intentional notions (such as beliefs, desires and intentions) and their interaction with each other and with the external world. An example of a pattern for such internal dynamics is: if a desire a

Dynamics Within an Organisation: Temporal Specification, Simulation and Evaluation

this paper different types of specifications of properties of the dynamics within an organisation are introduced. Supporting tools for specification, simulation and analysis of dynamics within multi-agent organisations have been implemented. 1. INTRODUCTION Multi-agent systems often have complex dynamics, both in human society and in the non-human case. Organisational structure is used as a means to handle these complex dynamics. It provides a structuring of the processes in such a manner that an agent involved can function in a more appropriate manner. For example, at least partly the behavioural alternatives for the other agents are known. Put differently, the flow of dynamics within a given organisational structure is much more predictable than in an entirely unstructured situation. This assumes that the organisational structure itself is relatively stable, i.e., the structure may change, but the frequency and scale of change are assumed low compared to the more standa

An agent-based architecture for multi-modal interaction

In this paper an executable generic process model is proposed for combined verbal and non-verbal communication processes and their interaction. The agent-based architecture can be used to create multi-modal interaction. The generic process model has been designed, implemented interactively and used to simulate different types of interaction between verbal and non-verbal communication processes: a non-verbal communication process can add and modify content to a verbal communication process, but can also provide a protocol for the (control of the) verbal communication process. With respect to the communication protocol both stimulus-response behaviour and deliberative behaviour have been modelled and simulated. The semantics of the model has been formalised by threelevelled partial temporal models, covering both the material and mental processes and their relations

An Executable Model of the Interaction between Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication

In this paper an executable generic process model is proposed for combined verbal and non-verbal communication processes and their interaction. The model has been formalised by three-levelled partial temporal models, covering both the material and mental processes and their relations. The generic process model has been designed, implemented and used to simulate different types of interaction between verbal and non-verbal communication processes: a non-verbal communication process that adds and modifies content to a verbal communication process, but also provides a protocol for the (control of the) verbal communication process. With respect to the communication protocol stimulus-response behaviour and deliberate behaviour have been modelled and simulated.