The Inherent Logic in the Idea of the Multiverse

The idea of the multiverse, likely difficult to prove in traditional scientific ways, may be bolstered by two arguments from the field of logic. This article, contextualized by the metaphorical, non-logical approaches to the multiverse and situating itself within the history of astronomy, explicates these two arguments from logic. The first argument relates to the implicit illogical vanity in the assumption that our presently-known universe is special. In other words, it may be somewhat logical to embrace the history of deanthropomorphism more fully in the light of the Big Bang and the theory of cosmic inflation. The second argument suggests resolution to the long-standing philosophical and logical mysteries associated with the anthropic principle, as well as the attendant use of Ockham’s razor as a logical tool. The problem of evidence and falsifiability is briefly implicated, as well as some consequences for apologetics.

A strategy of quick hierarchization of road bridge maintenance activities

The control and maintenance of infrastructures is a crucial aspect for the sustainability and development of the economic and social activities of a country. The managing authorities, in order to preserve the efficiency and safety of the traffic flows, have to deal with a rather old infrastructure asset that is often in a non-optimal conservation state with an increasing degradation process induced by the increment of the traffic loads and by the environmental actions. The situation is exacerbated by the limited economic resources and reduced workforces at disposal with the consequence that an order of priority in the maintenance plain is anavoidable. This work provides a logical tool to define the hierarchy of the maintenance plain of the infrastructural heritage based on one hand on the structure state of conservation and on the other hand on the context in which the construction is integrated

Representation and Experimentation

This paper describes the use of the synthetic method through digital generative algorithms in the study of geometry. In particular, this paper describes the construction of a ruled surface that rests on three skew lines in the method of mathematical representation. This study is part of a bigger picture that has as its goal the renewal of the study of geometry according to the synthetic method, in other words through the use of drawing in the virtual laboratory. The drawing in this sense is a logical tool to understand the geometry in space. The possibility of constructing algorithms to generate and control geometric shape allows having a greater control on both the final form and, above all, on the generative process of form itself. This is particularly important for those who have a synthetic approach in the study of geometry. It refers to the ability to view the entire creative process of the shape and the ability to alter some parameters to improve the result. The representation of the algorithms allows having both an overview and a detailed view of the entire creative process.

L'irosa eloquenza delle strumae

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how Cicero in his in Vatinium employs the iconic power of the body of the accused, Vatinius, and its repulsive strumae as a logical tool to support his persuasion strategy, thereby creating an enthymeme based upon the premises provided by the features of the body. This way of reasoning rests upon a strongly oriented and often distorting reading of the physical characteristics of the body in accordance with the physiognomic and pathognomonic doctrines. As a result, the de-formities of Vatinius's body, instead of being used to commend Vatinius, become important elements in Cicero's strategy of belittling his opponent's authority.

Adaptation of CFD to the Design of Centrifugal Pumps

The similarity between flow patterns predicted with the aid of CFD and those observed in practice indicates, that CFD might be capable to assist the pump -engineer in coming up with improved designs. Unfortunately, in practice, the results are rather elusive. This paper discusses some of the causes of this state of affairs and presents suggestions, how to eliminate them. It demonstrates that the main cause of these disappointing results is the existing gap between science and engineering. The present explosion of information makes it very difficult for an expert in any given field of engineering to follow all the new developments in his (her) own specialized area. The less can an engineer be distracted by attempts to master an additional field of expertise. The results arrived at with the aid of CFD demonstrate, that it is a very powerful and versatile logical tool. However, versatile also means that it can be used in many different ways. Consequently, in order to arrive at satisfactory results, it has to be applied in a manner specifically suitable for handling the problem, which is being worked on. This means, that it requires an in-depth familiarity with all its aspects. Something, a CFD expert cannot afford to study. The only solution is teamwork. However, for teamwork to be successful, each participant has to know and to understand, what the others are doing. This paper demonstrates, that a relevant interpretation of the physical meaning of mathematical equations is capable to provide logical explanations to some of the even most enigmatic events. This leads to the conclusion, that such interpretations may also be capable to establish the so badly needed mutual understanding between the pump-expert, and the specialist in CFD. The above conclusions are supported by actual case histories from practice, and/or by results of tests. In addition to the above, this paper discusses a case history, which demonstrates that even in cases, in which CFD is capable to provide the required results, its use is not always the best choice. In practice, it is often much simpler, faster and considerably less expensive to arrive at the required results by means, which can be hardly regarded as associated with fluids dynamics. Finally, this paper also presents an example of a problem, which only CFD may be capable to solve.

Linguistic formulae as cognitive tools

Ancient Greek mathematics developed the original feature of being deductive mathematics. This article attempts to give a (partial) explanation f or this achievement. The focus is on the use of a fixed system of linguistic formulae (expressions used repetitively) in Greek mathematical texts. It is shown that (a) the structure of this system was especially adapted for the easy computation of operations of substitution on such formulae, that is, of replacing one element in a fixed formula by another, and it is further argued that (b) such operations of substitution were the main logical tool required by Greek mathematical deduction. The conclusion explains why, assuming the validity of the description above, this historical level (as against the universal cognitive level) is the best explanatory level for the phenomenon of Greek mathematical deduction.