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1.
The process of abstraction and concretisation is a label used for an explicative theory of scientific model-construction. In scientific theorising this process enters
at various levels. We could identify two principal levels of abstraction that are useful to our understanding of theory-application.
The first level is that of selecting a small number of variables and parameters abstracted from the universe of discourse
and used to characterise the general laws of a theory. In classical mechanics, for example, we select position and momentum and establish a relation amongst the two variables, which we call Newton’s 2nd law. The specification of the unspecified
elements of scientific laws, e.g. the force function in Newton’s 2nd law, is what would establish the link between the assertions
of the theory and physical systems. In order to unravel how and with what conceptual resources scientific models are constructed,
how they function and how they relate to theory, we need a view of theory-application that can accommodate our constructions
of representation models. For this we need to expand our understanding of the process of abstraction to also explicate the
process of specifying force functions etc. This is the second principal level at which abstraction enters in our theorising
and in which I focus. In this paper, I attempt to elaborate a general analysis of the process of abstraction and concretisation
involved in scientific- model construction, and argue why it provides an explication of the construction of models of the
nuclear structure. 相似文献
2.
Pierre Uzan 《Foundations of Science》2007,12(2):109-137
All the attempts to find the justification of the privileged evolution of phenomena exclusively in the external world need
to refer to the inescapable fact that we are living in such an asymmetric universe. This leads us to look for the origin of the “arrow of time” in the relationship
between the subject and the world. The anthropic argument shows that the arrow of time is the condition of the possibility
of emergence and maintenance of life in the universe. Moreover, according to Bohr’s, Poincaré’s and Watanabe’s analysis, this
agreement between the earlier-later direction of entropy increase and the past-future direction of life is the very condition
of the possibility for meaningful action, representation and creation. Beyond this relationship of logical necessity between
the meaning process and the arrow of time the question of their possible physical connection is explored. To answer affirmatively
to this question, the meaning process is modelled as an evolving tree-like structure, called “Semantic Time”, where thermodynamic
irreversibility can be shown.
Time is the substance I am made of. Time is a river which sweeps me along, but I am the river ; it is a tiger which destroys
me, but I am the tiger ; it is a fire which consumes me, but I am the fire. – (Jorge Luis Borges) 相似文献
3.
Seungbae Park 《Foundations of Science》2011,16(1):21-30
Putnam in Realism in mathematics and Elsewhere, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1975) infers from the success of a
scientific theory to its approximate truth and the reference of its key term. Laudan in Philos Sci 49:19–49 (1981) objects
that some past theories were successful, and yet their key terms did not refer, so they were not even approximately true.
Kitcher in The advancement of science, Oxford University Press, New York (1993) replies that the past theories are approximately
true because their working posits are true, although their idle posits are false. In contrast, I argue that successful theories
which cohere with each other are approximately true, and that their key terms refer. My position is immune to Laudan’s counterexamples
to Putnam’s inference and yields a solution to a problem with Kitcher’s position. 相似文献
4.
Pierre Uzan 《Foundations of Science》2010,15(1):1-28
This paper suggests an epistemic interpretation of Belnap’s branching space-times theory based on Everett’s relative state
formulation of the measurement operation in quantum mechanics. The informational branching models of the universe are evolving
structures defined from a partial ordering relation on the set of memory states of the impersonal observer. The totally ordered
set of their information contents defines a linear “time” scale to which the decoherent alternative histories of the informational
universe can be referred—which is quite necessary for assigning them a probability distribution. The “historical” state of
a physical system is represented in an appropriate extended Hilbert space and an algebra of multi-branch operators is developed.
An age operator computes the informational depth of historical states and its standard deviation can be used to provide a
universal information/energy uncertainty relation. An information operator computes the encoding complexity of historical
states, the rate of change of its average value accounting for the process of correlation destruction inherent to the branching
dynamics. In the informational branching models of the universe, the asymmetry of phenomena in nature appears as a mere consequence
of the subject’s activity of measuring, which defines the flow of time-information. 相似文献
5.
Melvin S. Steinberg 《Foundations of Science》2008,13(2):163-175
Investigations with electrometers in the 1770s led Volta to envision mobile charge in electrical conductors as a compressible
fluid. A pressure-like condition in this fluid, which Volta described as the fluid’s “effort to push itself out” of its conducting
container, was the causal agent that makes the fluid move. In this paper I discuss Volta’s use of analogy and imagery in model
building, and compare with a successful contemporary conceptual approach to introducing ideas about electric potential in
instruction. The concept that today is called “electric potential” was defined mathematically by Poisson in 1811. It was understood
after about 1850 to predict the same results in conducting matter as Volta’s pressure-like concept—and to predict electrostatic
effects in the exterior space where Volta’s concept had nothing to say. Complete quantification in addition to greater generality
made the mathematical concept a superior research tool for scientists. However, its spreading use in instruction has marginalized
approaches to model building based on the analogy and imagery resources that students bring into the classroom. Data from
pre and post testing in high schools show greater conceptual and confidence gains using the new conceptual approach than using
conventional instruction. This provides evidence for reviving Volta’s compressible fluid model as an intuitive foundation
which can then be modified to include electrostatic distant action. Volta tried to modify his compressible fluid model to
include distant action, using imagery borrowed from distant heating by a flame. This project remained incomplete, because
he did not envision an external field mediating the heating. However, pursuing Volta’s strategy of model modification to completion
now enables students taught with the new conceptual approach to add distant action to an initial compressible fluid model.
I suggest that a partial correspondence to the evolving model sequence that works for beginning students can help illuminate
Volta’s use of intermediate explanatory models.
相似文献
Melvin S. SteinbergEmail: |
6.
Gertrudis Van de Vijver 《Foundations of Science》2012,17(1):5-7
This commentary addresses the question of the meaning of critique in relation to objectivism or dogmatism. Inspired by Kant’s
critical philosophy and Husserl’s phenomenology, it defines the first in terms of conditionality, the second in terms of oppositionality.
It works out an application on the basis of Salthe’s (Found Sci 15 4(6):357–367, 2010a) paper on development and evolution, where competition is criticized in oppositional, more than in conditional terms. 相似文献
7.
8.
Massimiliano Badino 《Foundations of Science》2006,11(4):323-347
The foundation of statistical mechanics and the explanation of the success of its methods rest on the fact that the theoretical
values of physical quantities (phase averages) may be compared with the results of experimental measurements (infinite time
averages). In the 1930s, this problem, called the ergodic problem, was dealt with by ergodic theory that tried to resolve
the problem by making reference above all to considerations of a dynamic nature. In the present paper, this solution will
be analyzed first, highlighting the fact that its very general nature does not duly consider the specificities of the systems
of statistical mechanics. Second, Khinchin’s approach will be presented, that starting with more specific assumptions about
the nature of systems, achieves an asymptotic version of the result obtained with ergodic theory. Third, the statistical meaning
of Khinchin’s approach will be analyzed and a comparison between this and the point of view of ergodic theory is proposed.
It will be demonstrated that the difference consists principally of two different perspectives on the ergodic problem: that
of ergodic theory puts the state of equilibrium at the center, while Khinchin’s attempts to generalize the result to non-equilibrium
states. 相似文献
9.
10.
Sciences are often regarded as providing the best, or, ideally, exact, knowledge of the world, especially in providing laws
of nature. Ilya Prigogine, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for his theory of non-equilibrium chemical processes—this being
also an important attempt to bridge the gap between exact and non-exact sciences [mentioned in the Presentation Speech by
Professor Stig Claesson (nobelprize.org, The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1977)]—has had this ideal in mind when trying to formulate
a new kind of science. Philosophers of science distinguish theory and reality, examining relations between these two. Nancy
Cartwright’s distinction of fundamental and phenomenological laws, Rein Vihalemm’s conception of the peculiarity of the exact
sciences, and Ronald Giere’s account of models in science and science as a set of models are deployed in this article to criticise
the common view of science and analyse Ilya Prigogine’s view in particular. We will conclude that on a more abstract, philosophical
level, Prigogine’s understanding of science doesn’t differ from the common understanding.
相似文献
Piret KuuskEmail: |
11.
Understanding Pluralism in Climate Modeling 总被引:1,自引:0,他引:1
W. S. Parker 《Foundations of Science》2006,11(4):349-368
To study Earth’s climate, scientists now use a variety of computer simulation models. These models disagree in some of their
assumptions about the climate system, yet they are used together as complementary resources for investigating future climatic
change. This paper examines and defends this use of incompatible models. I argue that climate model pluralism results both
from uncertainty concerning how to best represent the climate system and from difficulties faced in evaluating the relative
merits of complex models. I describe how incompatible climate models are used together in ‘multi-model ensembles’ and explain
why this practice is reasonable, given scientists’ inability to identify a ‘best’ model for predicting future climate. Finally,
I characterize climate model pluralism as involving both an ontic competitive pluralism and a pragmatic integrative pluralism. 相似文献
12.
Brigitte Cambon de Lavalette Charles Tijus Christine Leproux Olivier Bauer 《Foundations of Science》2005,10(1):25-45
Taxonomy Based modeling was applied to describe drivers’ mental models of variable message signs (VMS’s) displayed on expressways.
Progress in road telematics has made it possible to introduce variable message signs (VMS’s). Sensors embedded in the carriageway
every 500m record certain variables (speed, flow rate, etc.) that are transformed in real time into “driving times” to a given
destination if road conditions do not change.
VMS systems are auto-regulative Man-Machine (AMMI) systems which incorporate a model of the user: if the traffic flow is too
high, then drivers should choose alternative routes. In so doing, the traffic flow should decrease. The model of the user
is based on suppositions such as: people do not like to waste time, they fully understand the displayed messages, they trust
the displayed values, they know of alternative routes. However, people also have a model of the way the system functions.
And if they do not believe the contents of the message, they will not act as expected.
We collected data through interviews with drivers using the critical incidents technique (Flanagan, 1985). Results show that
the mental models that drivers have of the way the VMS system works are various but not numerous and that most of them differ
from the“ideal expert” mental model. It is clear that users don’t have an adequate model of how the VMS system works and that
VMS planners have a model of user behaviour that does not correspond to the behaviour of the drivers we interviewed. Finally,
Taxonomy Based Modeling is discussed as a tool for mental model remediation. 相似文献
13.
Frank Waaldijk 《Foundations of Science》2005,10(3):249-324
We discuss the foundations of constructive mathematics, including recursive mathematics and intuitionism, in relation to classical
mathematics. There are connections with the foundations of physics, due to the way in which the different branches of mathematics
reflect reality. Many different axioms and their interrelationship are discussed. We show that there is a fundamental problem
in BISH (Bishop’s school of constructive mathematics) with regard to its current definition of ‘continuous function’. This problem
is closely related to the definition in BISH of ‘locally compact’. Possible approaches to this problem are discussed. Topology seems to be a key to understanding many
issues. We offer several new simplifying axioms, which can form bridges between the various branches of constructive mathematics
and classical mathematics (‘reuniting the antipodes’). We give a simplification of basic intuitionistic theory, especially
with regard to so-called ‘bar induction’. We then plead for a limited number of axiomatic systems, which differentiate between
the various branches of mathematics. Finally, in the appendix we offer BISH an elegant topological definition of ‘locally compact’, which unlike the current definition is equivalent to the usual classical
and/or intuitionistic definition in classical and intuitionistic mathematics, respectively. 相似文献
14.
Federica Russo 《Foundations of Science》2006,11(3):221-247
A careful analysis of Salmon’s Theoretical Realism and van Fraassen’s Constructive Empiricism shows that both share a common
origin: the requirement of literal construal of theories inherited by the Standard View. However, despite this common starting
point, Salmon and van Fraassen strongly disagree on the existence of unobservable entities. I argue that their different ontological
commitment towards the existence of unobservables traces back to their different views on the interpretation of probability
via different conceptions of induction. In fact, inferences to statements claiming the existence of unobservable entities
are inferences to probabilistic statements, whence the crucial importance of the interpretation of probability. 相似文献
15.
Michael J. Brusco 《Journal of Classification》2006,23(2):255-268
In this research note, I present a modified version of G. De Soete, L. Hubert, and P. Arabie’s (1988) simulated annealing
approach for the problem of L2 unidimensional scaling via maximization of the Defays criterion. The modifications include efficient storage and computation
methods that facilitate rapid evaluation of trial solutions. The results of two experimental studies indicate that the enhanced
simulated annealing algorithm is competitive with A. Murillo, J.F. Vera, and W.J. Heiser’s (2005) recently published pertsaus2
procedure in terms of solution quality and computation time. Both Fortran and MatLab versions of this modified simulated annealing
implementation are available from the author. 相似文献
16.
Giuseppe Longo 《Foundations of Science》2011,16(4):331-333
This short note develops some ideas along the lines of the stimulating paper by Heylighen (Found Sci 15 4(3):345–356, 2010a). It summarizes a theme in several writings with Francis Bailly, downloadable from this author’s web page. The “geometrization”
of time and causality is the common ground of the analysis hinted here and in Heylighen’s paper. Heylighen adds a logical
notion, consistency, in order to understand a possible origin of the selective process that may have originated this organization
of natural phenomena. We will join our perspectives by hinting to some gnoseological complexes, common to mathematics and
physics, which may shed light on the issues raised by Heylighen. 相似文献
17.
Uwe V. Riss 《Foundations of Science》2011,16(4):337-351
In this paper it is argued that the fundamental difference of the formal and the informal position in the philosophy of mathematics
results from the collision of an object and a process centric perspective towards mathematics. This collision can be overcome
by means of dialectical analysis, which shows that both perspectives essentially depend on each other. This is illustrated
by the example of mathematical proof and its formal and informal nature. A short overview of the employed materialist dialectical
approach is given that rationalises mathematical development as a process of model production. It aims at placing more emphasis
on the application aspects of mathematical results. Moreover, it is shown how such production realises subjective capacities
as well as objective conditions, where the latter are mediated by mathematical formalism. The approach is further sustained
by Polanyi’s theory of problem solving and Stegmaier’s philosophy of orientation. In particular, the tool and application
perspective illuminates which role computer-based proofs can play in mathematics. 相似文献
18.
20世纪60年代到80年代中期,学界多是事先假定达尔文遵循着某种单一的科学方法,相信《物种起源》有单一的论证结构;80年代中期开始,一些学者放弃了寻找《物种起源》中某种单一论证结构的努力,相信达尔文在《物种起源》中采用了多种论证策略。根据不同的理论有不同的理论成功标准,自然选择理论是由多个理论构成的,这就决定了《物种起源》中不可能存在单一的论证逻辑。 相似文献
19.
We analyze the developments in mathematical rigor from the viewpoint of a Burgessian critique of nominalistic reconstructions.
We apply such a critique to the reconstruction of infinitesimal analysis accomplished through the efforts of Cantor, Dedekind,
and Weierstrass; to the reconstruction of Cauchy’s foundational work associated with the work of Boyer and Grabiner; and to
Bishop’s constructivist reconstruction of classical analysis. We examine the effects of a nominalist disposition on historiography,
teaching, and research. 相似文献
20.
Classifications are generally pictured in the form of hierarchical trees, also called dendrograms. A dendrogram is the graphical
representation of an ultrametric (=cophenetic) matrix; so dendrograms can be compared to one another by comparing their cophenetic
matrices. Three methods used in testing the correlation between matrices corresponding to dendrograms are evaluated. The three
permutational procedures make use of different aspects of the information to compare dendrograms: the Mantel procedure permutes
label positions only; the binary tree methods randomize the topology as well; the double-permutation procedure is based on
all the information included in a dendrogram, that is: topology, label positions, and cluster heights. Theoretical and empirical
investigations of these methods are carried out to evaluate their relative performance. Simulations show that the Mantel test
is too conservative when applied to the comparison of dendrograms; the methods of binary tree comparisons do slightly better;
only the doublepermutation test provides unbiased type I error.
Les arbres utilisés pour illustrés les groupements sont généralement représentés sous la forme de classifications hiérarchiques
ou dendrogrammes. Un dendrogramme représente graphiquement l’information contenue dans la matrice ultramétrique (=cophénétique)
correspondant à la classification. Dès ultramétriques correspondantes. Nous comparons trois méthodes permettant d’évaluer
la signification statistique du coefficient de correlation mesuré entre deux matrices ultramétriques. Ces trois tests par
permutations tiennent compte d’aspects différents pour comparer des dendrogrammes: le test de Mantel permute les feuilles
de l’arbre, les méthodes pour arbres binaires permutent les feuilles et la topologie, alors que la procédure à double permutation
permute les feuilles, la topologie et les niveaux de fusion des dendrogrammes comparés. L’efficacité relative des trois méthodes
est évaluée empiriquement et théoriquement. Nos résultats suggèrent l’utilisation préférentielle du test à double permutation
pour la comparaison de dendrogrammes: le test de Mantel s’avère trop conservateur, tandis que les méthodes pour arbres binaires
ne sont pas toujours adéquates.
This work was supported by NSERC grant no. A7738 to Pierre Legendre and by a NSERC scholarship to F.-J. Lapointe. 相似文献
This work was supported by NSERC grant no. A7738 to Pierre Legendre and by a NSERC scholarship to F.-J. Lapointe. 相似文献