What has Natural Information to do with Intentional Representation?

2001 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
pp. 105-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Garrett Millikan
Keyword(s):  
Informational Semantics ◽  
Original Definition ◽  
Natural Information ◽  
The One ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Definition Of Information ◽  
Flow Of Information

‘According to informational semantics, if it's necessary that a creature can't distinguish Xs from Ys, it follows that the creature can't have a concept that applies to Xs but not Ys.’ (Fodor, 1994, p. 32)There is, indeed, a form of informational semantics that has this verificationist implication. The original definition of information given in Dretske'sKnowledge and the Flow of Information(1981, hereafter KFI), when employed as a base for a theory of intentional representation or ‘content,’ has this implication. I will argue that, in fact, most of what an animal needs to know about its environment is not available as natural information of this kind. It is true, I believe, that there is one fundamental kind of perception that depends on this kind of natural information, but more sophisticated forms of inner representation do not. It is unclear, however, exactly what ‘natural information’ is supposed to mean, certainly in Fodor's, and even in Dretske's writing. In many places, Dretske seems to employ a softer notion than the one he originally defines. I will propose a softer view of natural information that is, I believe, at least hinted at by Dretske, and show that it does not have verificationist consequences. According to this soft informational semantics, a creature can perfectly well have a representation of Xs without being able to discriminate Xs from Ys.

Topology Optimization of Dynamic Systems Under Uncertain Loads: An H∞-Norm-Based Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Venini
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Goal Function ◽  
Dynamic Compliance ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Original Definition ◽  
Optimal Material ◽  
The One ◽  
Definition Of

An innovative approach to topology optimization of dynamic system is introduced that is based on the system transfer-function H∞-norm. As for the structure, the proposed strategy allows to determine the optimal material distribution that ensures the minimization of a suitable goal function, such as (an original definition of) the dynamic compliance. Load uncertainty is accounted for by means of a nonprobabilistic convex-set approach (Ben-Haim and Elishakoff, 1990, Convex Models of Uncertainty in Applied Mechanics, Elsevier Science, Amsterdam). At each iteration, the worst load is determined as the one that maximizes the current dynamic compliance so that the proposed strategy fits the so-called worst case scenario (WCS) approach. The overall approach consists of the repeated solution of the two steps (minimization of the dynamic compliance with respect to structural parameters and maximization of the dynamic compliance with respect to the acting load) until convergence is achieved. Results from representative numerical studies are eventually presented along with extensions to the proposed approach that are currently under development.

The Metaphor of Dissociation: Teleological, Phenomenological, Structural, Dynamical

2019 ◽  
pp. 72-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellert R.S. Nijenhuis
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Present Article ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Substance Dualism ◽  
Enactive Approach ◽  
Conceptual Clarity ◽  
Original Definition ◽  
Structural Dissociation ◽  
The One ◽  
Definition Of

Dissociation as used in psychology and psychiatry is a troubled conceptual metaphor. The main problems include conflicting definitions and a lack of internal consistency of some of these formulations. Trying to mend the situation, Van der Hart, Nijenhuis and Steele (2006) revisited Janet's original definition of dissociation, and referred to it as "structural dissociation of the personality". This term is not meant to suggest that "structural dissociation" involves a particular kind of dissociation as is sometimes thought. To prevent or repair further misunderstanding, in the present article I highlight four inherent features of dissociation of the personality: teleological, phenomenological, structural, and dynamical. The article alsoaims to bridge some metaphors that are commonly described and understood as dichotomies, implying dualisms that plague philosophy, science, and clinical practice. For example, personality is understood as an organism-environment system, involving subjects and "objects" (that may be other subjects) as co-dependent and co-constitutive partners. Regarding matter (brain/body) and mind as attributes of one substance reflects an attempt to avoid the problems of philosophical (substance) dualism, as well as the one-sidedness of philosophical materialism and idealism. The generation, maintenance, and elaboration ofdissociation is analyzed in terms of causing, that is, the mutual manifestation of a network of reciprocal powers. The joint analyses involve an enactive approach to life, and intend to achieve further conceptual clarity and consistency of the metaphor of dissociation.

A NEW ISOMORPHIC DEFINITION OF THE CROSSED CUBE AND ITS SPANNING CONNECTIVITY

2009 ◽  
Vol 10 (01n02) ◽  
pp. 149-166
Author(s):  
CHENG-KUAN LIN ◽  
CHIEN-PING CHANG ◽  
TUNG-YANG HO ◽  
JIMMY J. M. TAN ◽  
LIH-HSING HSU
Keyword(s):  
Interconnection Network ◽  
Original Definition ◽  
The One ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Crossed Cube ◽  
Symmetric Properties

In this paper, we propose a slightly different definition of the crossed cube. The interconnection network obtained form our new definition is exactly isomorphic to the one obtained from the original definition proposed by Efe. It is known that the crossed cube is not node symmetric. However, using our new definition, it reveals some relative symmetric properties of the crossed cube. We can take advantage of the symmetry to study the spanning connectivity of the crossed cube.

scholarly journals Re-evaluating the importance of discourse-embedding for specificational and predicative clauses

Pragmatics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wout Van Praet
Keyword(s):  
Information Structure ◽  
The Other ◽  
Separate Layer ◽  
The One ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Definition Of Information ◽  
Focus Marking

Abstract This paper studies the discourse-embedding of specificational clauses, in contrast with predicative ones. Specificational clauses – which express a variable – value relation – are assumed to have a ‘fixed’ information structure. This follows from the widespread definition of information structure in terms of a presupposition – focus contrast, which is often conflated with the variable – value contrast, on the one hand, and with a given – new contrast, on the other. Against these conflations, this study demonstrates that the specification is a separate layer of meaning, which not only shows variation in terms of focus-marking (Van Praet and O’Grady 2018), but also in terms of its embedding in specific contexts of use. These findings urge us to revisit not only the basis for distinguishing specificational clauses from predicative ones, but also to separate out the different layers of coded and pragmatic meaning that have been conflated under the header of ‘information structure’.

scholarly journals The problem of intentionality in the school of Brentano

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-94
Author(s):  
Vladimir V. Seliverstov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Point Of View ◽  
Original Definition ◽  
Long Time ◽  
History Of ◽  
Franz Brentano ◽  
Bernard Bolzano ◽  
Empirical Point ◽  
The Moment ◽  
The One ◽  
Definition Of

From the moment Franz Brentano formulated his definition of intentionality, it imme­diately began to undergo modifications in the works of his students. Brentano’s original definition included reference to the scholastic tradition, but it differs from the one that was formulated by the scholastics. In his work “Psychology from an Empirical Point of View”, Brentano defines intentionality both as an orientation towards an object and as a relation to some content, but at no later time, neither in this work, nor in other published works, does he clarify the meaning of the concept of «content». In this regard, the stu­dents and interpreters of Brentano’s works had a question: does the scheme of inten­tionality consist exclusively of an intentional act and an object, or does it also include the content of a representation? Brentano’s disciples did not view this definition as clear and unambiguous. In order to clarify this concept, they often studied other similar philo­sophical conceptions in search of a more precise definition. In particular, they looked for a similar concept in the theory of Bernard Bolzano. The first version of the schema of in­tentionality, including the content of representation, appeared in the works of Hoeffler and Twardowski. For this reason, for a long time they were considered by historians to be the discoverers of the distinction between object and content. However, after the notes of Brentano’s lectures, which he also read to his students, were recovered, it became clear that Brentano himself made this distinction. In this regard, it seems extremely important to interpret the history of the relationships in the Brentano school through the prism of the discussions devoted to the definition of intentionality and the structure of an inten­tional act, as well as to understand the origins of each individual interpretation of this concept proposed by Brentano’s students

Les facteurs de la décision politique en régime démocratique

1968 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-163
Author(s):  
Stéphane Bernard
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Political Power ◽  
Social Situations ◽  
Political Decision ◽  
Political Factors ◽  
Original Definition ◽  
Standing Up ◽  
The One ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Political Decision Making

Political Decision-Making in a DemocracyAll the factors which influence political decision-making may (reasonably) be integrated into a model which combines operational concepts of power, influence, and authority. The problem-solving approach is applied to one class of decisions, defined here as those made for social situations involving both technical and political factors. Political power seems necessarily to be engaged in a twofold form of activity. On the one hand it formulates the content of decisions to be made and is thereby affected by both the technical and political definition of the problem to be resolved. On the other hand, power is both an agent and an object of influence at every stage of the decisional process. Political power appears, then, to be a more comprehensive concept than either authority or influence. Its basic constituents are found in a fusion of the function of influence with the function of defining issues authoritatively. Authority is but one kind of influence while influence itself is simply one of the two chief functions of power.Power, before it is influential, is creative, inventive of ideas, and of solutions. Incorporation of these different categories into a model provides us with a systematic representation of the decision-making process of formulation, adoption, and execution. Particular attention is devoted to differentiating those components of behaviour on which authority is based from those which make the assessment of authority possible. On the whole, authoritative decision-making seems to be circumscribed by the original definition of the problem and by the decision-maker's personal under-standing. Up to a certain point this permits us to distinguish the part played by the force of given circumstances from that attributable to the free choice of the actors in a democratic political system.

ARTICLES OF THE CRIMINAL LEGISLATION OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION CONCERNING ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES FOR HUMAN HEALTH AND LIFE

2021 ◽  
pp. 20-26
Author(s):  
Bozhchenko A.P. ◽  
Ismailov M.T. ◽  
Gomon A.A. ◽  
Griga E.S. ◽  
Khrustaleva Yu.A.
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Russian Federation ◽  
Criminal Code ◽  
Health It ◽  
Original Definition ◽  
The Supreme Court ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
The One ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Criminal Legislation

The article is devoted to the analysis of the current criminal legislation of the Russian Federation in relation to crimes that provide for liability for causing harm to human health, in order to improve expert and legal tools for determining adverse consequences for human health and life. Research material: the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and its comments. Research methods: selection and fixation of information, grouping of data, comparison, analysis and generalization of the identified patterns. As a result of the conducted research, a complete list of articles providing for liability for causing serious (51 in total), moderate (30) and minor harm to health (27) was determined. There are articles in which the severity of the harm to health is not specified (10) or the vague term "significant harm" is used (1). A number of articles (26) have been identified, in which the term "harm to health" is used instead of the term "violence", which is specified in the Decisions of the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation or comments to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation as "harm to health". It is concluded that the concept of harm to health formed in the criminal legislation is broader than the one established in forensic medicine. In the current legislation, there is an abundance and heterogeneity of terms used to describe independent types of adverse effects on human health and life. Unification of the concept of harm caused to human health is required. An original definition of this concept is proposed.

Understanding functional illiteracy from a policy, adult education, and cognition point of view: Towards a joint referent framework

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-122
Author(s):  
Aleksandar Bulajić ◽  
Miomir Despotović ◽  
Thomas Lachmann
Keyword(s):  
Adult Education ◽  
Operational Definition ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Functional Illiteracy ◽  
Scale Levels ◽  
Components Of Reading ◽  
The One ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract. The article discusses the emergence of a functional literacy construct and the rediscovery of illiteracy in industrialized countries during the second half of the 20th century. It offers a short explanation of how the construct evolved over time. In addition, it explores how functional (il)literacy is conceived differently by research discourses of cognitive and neural studies, on the one hand, and by prescriptive and normative international policy documents and adult education, on the other hand. Furthermore, it analyses how literacy skills surveys such as the Level One Study (leo.) or the PIAAC may help to bridge the gap between cognitive and more practical and educational approaches to literacy, the goal being to place the functional illiteracy (FI) construct within its existing scale levels. It also sheds more light on the way in which FI can be perceived in terms of different cognitive processes and underlying components of reading. By building on the previous work of other authors and previous definitions, the article brings together different views of FI and offers a perspective for a needed operational definition of the concept, which would be an appropriate reference point for future educational, political, and scientific utilization.

Definition of Information Core for Documents Classification

2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 25-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduard A. Manziuk ◽  
Alexander V. Barmak ◽  
Yuriy V. Krak ◽  
Veda S. Kasianiuk
Keyword(s):  
Definition Of ◽  
Definition Of Information

Populism and Liberal Democracy

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takis S. Pappas
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Liberal Democracy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Comprehensive Theory ◽  
The People ◽  
Original Definition ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Great Relevance ◽  
Definition Of

Based on an original definition of modern populism as “democratic illiberalism” and many years of meticulous research, Takis Pappas marshals extraordinary empirical evidence from Argentina, Greece, Peru, Italy, Venezuela, Ecuador, Hungary, the United States, Spain, and Brazil to develop a comprehensive theory about populism. He addresses all key issues in the debate about populism and answers significant questions of great relevance for today’s liberal democracy, including: • What is modern populism and how can it be differentiated from comparable phenomena like nativism and autocracy? • Where in Latin America has populism become most successful? Where in Europe did it emerge first? Why did its rise to power in the United States come so late? • Is Trump a populist and, if so, could he be compared best with Venezuela’s Chávez, France’s Le Pens, or Turkey’s Erdoğan? • Why has populism thrived in post-authoritarian Greece but not in Spain? And why in Argentina and not in Brazil? • Can populism ever succeed without a charismatic leader? If not, what does leadership tell us about how to challenge populism? • Who are “the people” who vote for populist parties, how are these “made” into a group, and what is in their minds? • Is there a “populist blueprint” that all populists use when in power? And what are the long-term consequences of populist rule? • What does the expansion, and possibly solidification, of populism mean for the very nature and future of contemporary democracy? Populism and Liberal Democracy will change the ways the reader understands populism and imagines the prospects of liberal democracy.

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