Quantum Superpositions and the Representation of Physical Reality Beyond Measurement Outcomes and Mathematical Structures

In this paper we intend to discuss the importance of providing a physical representation of quantum superpositions which goes beyond the mere reference to mathematical structures and measurement outcomes. This proposal goes in the opposite direction to the project present in orthodox contemporary philosophy of physics which attempts to “bridge the gap” between the quantum formalism and common sense “classical reality”—precluding, right from the start, the possibility of interpreting quantum superpositions through non-classical notions. We will argue that in order to restate the problem of interpretation of quantum mechanics in truly ontological terms we require a radical revision of the problems and definitions addressed within the orthodox literature. On the one hand, we will discuss the need of providing a formal redefinition of superpositions which captures explicitly their contextual character. On the other hand, we will attempt to replace the focus on the measurement problem, which concentrates on the justification of measurement outcomes from “weird” superposed states, and introduce the superposition problem which focuses instead on the conceptual representation of superpositions themselves. In this respect, after presenting three necessary conditions for objective physical representation, we will provide arguments which show why the classical (actualist) representation of physics faces severe difficulties to solve the superposition problem. Finally, we will also argue that, if we are willing to abandon the (metaphysical) presupposition according to which ‘Actuality = Reality’, then there is plenty of room to construct a conceptual representation for quantum superpositions.     

虚拟现实:新的实践领域

虚拟现实在引起技术领域轰动的同时,也引发了人们哲学层面上的思考：虚拟现实中的事物是物质吗？虚拟现实给社会实践带来了什么样的意义？本文观点是：虚拟的事物非物质,但虚拟开创了一个新的实践领域,正是这个基础上,虚拟现实张扬着它的现实意义,也孕育着它的未来意义。     

Weaving, Bending, Patching, Mending the Fabric of Reality: A Cognitive Science Perspective on Worldview Inconsistency

In order to become aware of inconsistencies, one must first construe of the world in a way that reflects its consistencies. This paper begins with a tentative model for how a set of discrete memories transforms into an interconnected worldview, wherein relationships between memories are forged by way of abstractions. Inconsistencies prompt the invention of new abstractions. In regions of the conceptual network where inconsistencies abound, a cognitive analog of simulated annealing is in order; there is a willingness to question previous assumptions - to ‘loosen’ conceptual relationships - so as to let new concepts percolate through the worldview and exert the needed revolutionary effect. In so doing there is a risk of assimilating dangerous concepts. Repression arrests the process by which dangerous thoughts infiltrate the conceptual network, and deception blocks thoughts that have already been assimilated. These forms of self-initiated worldview inconsistency may evoke feelings of fragmentation at the level of the individual or the society. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Gordon Pask's Conversation Theory: A Domain Independent Constructivist Model of Human Knowing

Although it is conceded (as argued by many)that distinct knowledge domains do presentparticular problems of coming to know, in thispaper it is argued that it is possible (anduseful) to construct a domain independent modelof the processes of coming to know, one inwhich observers share understandings and do soin agreed ways. The model in question is partof the conversation theory (CT) of Gordon Pask. CT, as a theory of theory construction andcommunication, has particular relevance forfoundational issues in science and scienceeducation. CT explicitly propounds a ``radicalconstructivist' (RC) epistemology. A briefaccount is given of the main tenets of RC andCT's place in that tradition and the traditionsof cybernetics. The paper presents a briefnon-technical account of the main concepts ofCT including elaborations by Laurillard andHarri-Augstein and Thomas. As part of CT, Pask also elaborated a methodology – knowledgeand task analysis – for analysing the structureof different knowledge domains; thismethodology is sketched in outline.     

真实现实、扩展现实和虚拟现实

本文认为真实现实(real reality)、扩展现实(augmented reality)和虚拟现实(virtual reality)属于同一系列的概念,它们共同组成了真实-虚拟连续统(reality-virtuality continuum).它们是对客观存在的三种不同的认知形态,共同构成了知识世界的范围(extend of world knowledge).     

休闲：理想与现实

本文主要讨论休闲作为人的一种生活理想的状态与特征，休闲由生活理想转变为生活现实的主、客两方面相统一的诸多条件，以及休闲理想与休闲现实的关系转化。     

数学知识的反个体主义透视

数学知识究竟是什么?仅仅诉诸数学家个人的头脑和内在禀赋难以解释其何以能够拥有看似抽象而又客观的数学知识。不管是将数学知识的内涵局限于被证明的命题,还是将数学知识重新诠释为命题间的蕴涵关系、进行数学推理的操作规则和程序以及思考和处理数学问题的技能等,最终均不得不考察数学家与其所处认知环境间的关系才能给出完整解释。可见数学知识无论内容和形式如何,均存在着一个不可或缺的环境维度,认知主体之所以能够拥有数学知识,在构成上依赖于其处于特定的物理环境和社会环境之中,此即"数学知识反个体主义"。     

Mimesis and the Representation of Reality: A Historical World View

The representation of reality is a fundamental concept in the perception of theworld. Its historical consideration leads to an understanding of historical andcontemporary culture. In this paper we specifically investigate theanthropometric stage of cultural development as a historical world view. Wedefine this stage on the basis of René Girard's hypotheses on the origin ofculture, and we isolate its principles. Next, we consider the function of art asthe representation of cultural values. We investigate the three major motivesof artistic representation in the anthropometric stage, i.e. beauty, dramatizationand mimesis. We show how and why these motives play an essential partin the obfuscation and explanation of the origin of culture. Finally, we showhow these developments are dealt with in the aesthetics of Plato and Aristotle.     

从现象学的视角看虚拟现实空间中的身体临场感

从身体现象学的视角看,体验者在虚拟现实空间中的临场感并不单单依靠外在的技术手段得以实现,影响体验者临场感的关键在于"身体场"的运作。这一运作过程涉及身体空间、身体意向性与身体的习惯三方面的重要作用。正是由于它们的共同作用,才使体验者能够将虚拟现实空间感知成一种为他而存在的"生存境域"。这一"生存境域"既保证了体验者在其中所获得的体验具有第一人称被给予性,同时具有生存的情境性,由此,使体验者获得了一种活生生的临场感。临场即意味着身处在某种生存性的境域之中。     

数学视野中的中国古代历法--评曲安京著《中国历法与数学》

曲安京所著《中国历法与数学》一书，探讨中国古代历法中天文常数与算法的构造机理及其数学思想，对上元积年、渐近分数、内插法、历法中的公式化计算等历法中的重要数学问题进行了原创性的研究，提出了很有说服力的观点与论据。该书把数学史与天文史结合在一起的研究思路也是富有启发性的，是一部成果颇丰的交叉学科性学术著作。     

“身化技术”论——与“物化技术”共在的一种技术实在

以身体形态存在的身化技术,与物化技术共在,但又是与之不同的一种技术实在。身化技术的技术实在性,可在身体实在、活动实在和工具实在等维度获得某种理解。身化技术的现实生成,以身体的生存需求、社会的制度安排为基本动力,以语言性理解、操练性理解和生产性理解为主要途径。身化技术的特征,突出表现为身体性、生成性和创造性。讨论身化技术,可能会为"关于技术"的研究,提供一种不同于物化技术的新视角。     

Stevin Numbers and Reality

We explore the potential of Simon Stevin??s numbers, obscured by shifting foundational biases and by 19th century developments in the arithmetisation of analysis.     

理想与现实：可持续发展观分类与比较

与传统意义的发展相比,可持续发展有着深刻的哲理和丰富的内涵。 中外学者对此确有颇多深入的乃至精辟的论述。文章通过分类比较认为,可持续发展无疑是人类的一种崇高的理想,它可以通过理论研究上的有序突破、行为模式上的有机变革和战略实施上的有效执行逐步实现。同时作者也特别注意到可持续发展在现实操作上的难度,即理想与现实之间存在颇大距离,其实施可谓任重而道远。     

科学计量学视角下的石墨烯发现之争

本文通过科学计量学的方法,考察了石墨烯发现前后文献链条上的关键节点文献,对有关2010年诺贝尔物理学奖的争议进行了回答。研究结果表明,海姆、诺沃肖洛夫2004年发现石墨烯的文献以及发现石墨烯中的电子是具有无质量的狄拉克费米子两个成果具有很高的被引频次,也有很高的网络中介中心度值。他们获得诺贝尔奖是理所应当。另一方面,赫尔只有一篇2006年发表的文献处于链条之上,表明他在石墨烯发现之后对其性质的研究做出了实质性的贡献。凯姆则有两篇文献位于石墨烯发现前后的链条上,尤其是对石墨烯中存在肉眼可见的量子霍尔效应这一独特性质的发现,引发了大量相关研究。因此,海姆认为他也应当共同获奖是有相当理由的。     

内隐知识:战略决策的一个视角

内隐知识被认为是预测决策效能的重要因素。文章介绍了内隐知识的概念、特征和结构模型 ,揭示了它与战略决策的本质相似性。常见的内隐决策方式包括自我反省、孵化酝酿、强化和心象四种方式。内隐知识研究逐渐从个体过渡到群体范畴 ,群体构成和群体动力学问题是两大研究主题。     

走出形而上学的区分--论社会建构主义中的本体论问题

社会建构主义的直接批判对象是自主性的科学观，即认为科学知识构成了一个独立的王国，它以某种形而上学的存在为基础，或者是先验的理性逻辑，或者是先验的认识能力，它们使得科学世界和人类的其他领域区分开来。因此，自主性的科学观是以形而上学的本体论区分为前提的。社会建构主义通过将科学的基础还原为历史性的存在，超出了这种形而上学的区分。     

惠施的数学思想探析

惠施是春秋战国时期诸子百家之一,提出了著名的"合同异"思想理论。为了支撑和论证"合同异"理论,惠施对自然现象和客观事物进行了深入研究,提出了"历物"十事、"尺棰"论、"镞矢"论等命题。这些命题蕴含了丰富的无穷、极限、运动、连续等数学思想。     

分娩的医学干预与社会回应——医学化的视角

"医学化论题"自20世纪60年代提出以来,已成为西方医学文化批判理论中最为重要的思想资源之一。伴随着70年代妇女健康运动的兴起,女性的生命周期,如怀孕、分娩、月经、更年期等成为医学化研究的新焦点。本文梳理了分娩医学化的历史进程;从技术应用、社会文化和价值观念三个维度,厘清围绕分娩医学化的诸多争论,认为尽管分娩的医学干预受到持续批判,并有"家庭分娩运动"之类的去医学化努力,但整体而言,分娩是医学化最为成功的一个范例,且随着产前诊断与治疗技术的发展,这一进程在深度和广度上还将继续推进。     

工具与文化之间的数学品格——模式观的数学本体论下对数学意义的探索

数学是通过逻辑建构模式并以模式为对象进行研究的科学.这种数学模式观扬弃了数学本体论中的实在论与反实在论的极端主义哲学理解,充分肯定了数学的抽象性与客观性.在模式观的数学本体论视野下,数学兼具工具与文化两种品格.数学无形地渗透在科学的每个分支里,为其提供必要的工具;数学是理性精神的化身,深刻地影响着人们的观念、精神以及思维方式的养成.