scholarly journals A relational approach to consciousness: categories of level and contents of consciousness

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naotsugu Tsuchiya ◽  
Hayato Saigo
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
Category Theory ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Empirical Testing ◽  
Relational Approach ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Key Concepts ◽  
Categorical Structure ◽  
Yoneda Lemma ◽  
Qualia Structure

Abstract Characterizing consciousness in and of itself is notoriously difficult. Here, we propose an alternative approach to characterize, and eventually define, consciousness through exhaustive descriptions of consciousness’ relationships to all other consciousness. This approach is founded in category theory. Indeed, category theory can prove that two objects A and B in a category can be equivalent if and only if all the relationships that A holds with others in the category are the same as those of B; this proof is called the Yoneda lemma. To introduce the Yoneda lemma, we gradually introduce key concepts of category theory to consciousness researchers. Along the way, we propose several possible definitions of categories of consciousness, both in terms of level and contents, through the usage of simple examples. We propose to use the categorical structure of consciousness as a gold standard to formalize empirical research (e.g. color qualia structure at fovea and periphery) and, especially, the empirical testing of theories of consciousness.

scholarly journals Applying Yoneda's lemma to consciousness research: categories of level and contents of consciousness

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naotsugu Tsuchiya ◽  
Hayato Saigo
Keyword(s):  
Information Theory ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Category Theory ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Key Concepts ◽  
Categorical Structure ◽  
Yoneda Lemma ◽  
Integrated Information Theory ◽  
Structural Theories

Characterizing consciousness in and of itself is notoriously difficult. Any effort to define consciousness seems to evade what it tries to achieve. In particular, definitions often involve comparisons of different kinds of “consciousness” in a self-referential manner. The tautological nature of characterizing consciousness has led some scholars to propose that establishing a science of consciousness is infeasible. Here, we propose an alternative approach to characterize, and to eventually define, consciousness through exhaustive descriptions of consciousness’ relationships to all other consciousness. This approach is mathematically founded in category theory. Indeed, category theory can prove two objects A and B in a category can be equivalent if and only if all the relationships that A holds with others in the category are the same as those of B; this proof is called the Yoneda lemma. To introduce the Yoneda lemma, we gradually introduce key concepts of category theory to consciousness researchers in this paper. Along the way, we propose several possible definitions of categories of consciousness, both in terms of level and contents, through the usage of simple examples. We also propose empirical research programs that can test the validity of our proposed categories of consciousness and to improve them. We propose to use the categorical structure of consciousness as a gold standard if one tries to empirically test some structural theories of consciousness, such as Integrated Information Theory of consciousness.

scholarly journals Enriched category as a model of qualia structure based on similarity judgements

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naotsugu Tsuchiya ◽  
Steven Phillips ◽  
Hayato Saigo
Keyword(s):  
Category Theory ◽  
Sorites Paradox ◽  
Perceived Similarity ◽  
Enriched Category ◽  
Enriched Categories ◽  
Important Extension ◽  
Similarity Relationships ◽  
Yoneda Lemma ◽  
Similarity Judgements ◽  
Qualia Structure

Qualitative relationships between two instances of conscious experiences can be quantified through the perceived similarity. Previously, we proposed that by defining similarity relationships as arrows and conscious experiences as objects, we can define a category of qualia in the context of category theory. However, the example qualia categories we proposed were highly idealized and limited to cases where perceived similarity is binary: either present or absent without any gradation. When similarity is graded, a situation can arise where A0 is similar to A1, A1 is similar to A2, and so on, yet A0 is not similar to An, which is called the Sorites paradox. Here, we introduce enriched category theory to address this situation. Enriched categories generalize the concept of a relation between objects as a directed arrow (or morphism) in ordinary category theory to a more flexible notion, such as a measure of distance. As an alternative relation, here we propose a graded measure of perceived dissimilarity between the two objects. These measures combine in a way that addresses the Sorites paradox; even if the dissimilarity between Ai and Ai+1 is small for i = 0 … n, hence perceived as similar, the dissimilarity between A0 and An can be large, hence perceived as different. In this way, we show how dissimilarity-enriched categories of qualia resolve the Sorites paradox. We claim that enriched categories accommodate various types of conscious experiences. An important extension of this claim is the application of the Yoneda lemma in enriched category; we can characterize a quale through a collection of relationships between the quale and the other qualia up to an (enriched) isomorphism.

scholarly journals Enriched category as a model of qualia structure based on similarity judgements

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naotsugu Tsuchiya ◽  
Hayato Saigo ◽  
Steven Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Category Theory ◽  
The Other ◽  
Perceived Similarity ◽  
Enriched Category ◽  
Enriched Categories ◽  
Important Extension ◽  
Similarity Relationships ◽  
Yoneda Lemma ◽  
Similarity Judgements ◽  
Qualia Structure

Qualitative relationships between two instances of conscious experiences can be quantified through the perceived similarity. Previously, we proposed that by defining similarity relationships as arrows and conscious experiences as objects, we can define a category of qualia in the context of category theory. However, the example qualia categories we proposed were highly idealized and limited to cases where perceived similarity is binary: either present or absent without any gradation. Here, we introduce enriched category theory to address the graded levels of similarity that arises in many instances of qualia. Enriched categories generalize the concept of a relation between objects as a directed arrow (or morphism) in ordinary category theory to a more flexible notion, such as a measure of distance. As an alternative relation, here we propose a graded measure of perceived dissimilarity between the two objects. We claim that enriched categories accommodate various types of conscious experiences. An important extension of this claim is the application of the Yoneda lemma in enriched category; we can characterize a quale through a collection of relationships between the quale and the other qualia up to an (enriched) isomorphism.

6. Social Constructivism

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Agius
Keyword(s):  
Social Constructivism ◽  
International System ◽  
Security Studies ◽  
Security Threats ◽  
Socially Constructed ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Key Concepts ◽  
Critical Constructivism ◽  
The Impact

This chapter examines the impact of social constructivism on Security Studies as well as its critique of the assumed orthodoxy of rationalist approaches to security and the international system. In particular, it considers the manner that social constructivists address the question of how security and security threats are ‘socially constructed’. The chapter first provides an overview of definitions and key concepts relating to constructivism, such as its emphasis on the importance of ideas, identity, and interaction, along with its alternative approach to thinking about security. It then explores Alexander Wendt’s three cultures of anarchy and compares conventional constructivism with critical constructivism. Finally, it analyses rationalist and poststructuralist critiques of constructivism.

A SIMILARITY-BASED GENERALIZATION OF FUZZY ORDERINGS PRESERVING THE CLASSICAL AXIOMS

2000 ◽  
Vol 08 (05) ◽  
pp. 593-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
ULRICH BODENHOFER
Keyword(s):  
Set Theory ◽  
Fuzzy Set Theory ◽  
Main Part ◽  
Equivalence Relations ◽  
Fuzzy Relations ◽  
Strong Connection ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Key Concepts ◽  
Fuzzy Partitions ◽  
Fuzzy Orderings

Equivalence relations and orderings are key concepts of mathematics. For both types of relations, formulations within the framework of fuzzy relations have been proposed already in the early days of fuzzy set theory. While similarity (indistinguishability) relations have turned out to be very useful tools, e.g. for the interpretation of fuzzy partitions and fuzzy controllers, the utilization of fuzzy orderings is still lagging far behind, although there are a lot of possible applications, for instance, in fuzzy preference modeling and fuzzy control. The present paper is devoted to this missing link. After a brief motivation, we will critically analyze the existing approach to fuzzy orderings. In the main part, an alternative approach to fuzzy orderings, which also takes the strong connection to gradual similarity into account, is proposed and studied in detail, including several constructions and representation results.

Critical Discourse–Ethnographic Approaches to Language Policy

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Wodak ◽  
Kristof Savski
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Language Policy ◽  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Critical Discourse ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Ethnographic Approach ◽  
Key Concepts

This chapter focuses on the synergy that researchers in language policy have developed by integrating two other subfields of sociolinguistics: critical discourse analysis and critical ethnography. The chapter begins by discussing the meanings of the three key concepts used in these approaches, albeit sometimes in significantly different ways: critique, ethnography, and discourse. It then examines how these concepts are relevant to contemporary analyses of language policy, focusing particularly on their potential to open new and innovative avenues of research. To demonstrate how an integrated critical discourse and ethnographic approach can be applied in concrete empirical research, the chapter presents an analysis of language policy and practice in the European Union before providing an overview of other relevant studies in the area.

Countering Violent Extremism: A Framework for Comparative Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keiran Hardy
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Core Component ◽  
Vulnerable Youth ◽  
Violent Extremism ◽  
Key Concepts ◽  
Engagement Interventions

Countering violent extremism (CVE) has become a core component of counterterrorism strategies. As a concept and field of research, the CVE label lacks clarity, but it refers to policy and programs designed to prevent violent extremism and radicalization. The major components of CVE include community engagement, interventions for vulnerable youth, efforts to counter online extremism, and attempts to deradicalize terrorist offenders through psychological and religious counseling. Evidence about the effectiveness of these programs remains limited, but empirical research in the field is growing. CVE is commonly understood through a public-health framework that focuses on program targets: communities, at-risk individuals, and convicted offenders. A more thorough comparative approach would also consider governance, definitions of key concepts, aims, actors, targets, activities, and context.

Gestalt Therapy

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clayton T. Shorkey ◽  
Michael Uebel
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Current Literature ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Gestalt Therapy ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Strong Emphasis ◽  
Key Concepts ◽  
The Future

The entry defines Gestalt therapy, including brief history, major influences, contributors, and current status of Gestalt therapy in terms of memberships and journals. Key concepts are outlined, and the effectiveness and potential for Gestalt therapy's status as an evidence-based practice is framed in relation to recent overviews of empirical research and to what is needed in the future for further research. While the current literature in social work does not reflect a strong emphasis on Gestalt, we emphasize some of the philosophical and ethical compatibilities between these approaches.

The dynamical hypothesis in cognitive science

1998 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 615-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim van Gelder
Keyword(s):  
Dynamical Systems ◽  
Cognitive Science ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Computational Approach ◽  
Cognitive Systems ◽  
Cognitive Agents ◽  
Target Article ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Dynamical Hypothesis

According to the dominant computational approach in cognitive science, cognitive agents are digital computers; according to the alternative approach, they are dynamical systems. This target article attempts to articulate and support the dynamical hypothesis. The dynamical hypothesis has two major components: the nature hypothesis (cognitive agents are dynamical systems) and the knowledge hypothesis (cognitive agents can be understood dynamically). A wide range of objections to this hypothesis can be rebutted. The conclusion is that cognitive systems may well be dynamical systems, and only sustained empirical research in cognitive science will determine the extent to which that is true.

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