CATEGORY:
Wandering Towards a Goal Essay Contest (2016-2017)
[back]
TOPIC:
On Describing Intention with Mathematics: A Descriptive Requirement by Jack Hamilton James
[refresh]
Login or
create account to post reply or comment.
Author Jack Hamilton James wrote on Jan. 23, 2017 @ 21:28 GMT
Essay AbstractThis article presents a three-part analysis on revealing possible descriptive requirements for a math of intention. Part one, titled Philosophical Reduction, presents reductive reasoning for arriving at three possible problems that ultimately one of which a mathematics of intentionality must satisfy. Part two, titled Scientific Modelling, considers the potential resolution of these problems in light of current scientific theory, allowing the selection of a most probable problem from part one. Part three, titled Computational, Mathematical and Physical Description, considers what descriptions, and the nature of their relations, are required to satisfy the most probable problem. It is proposed in Part 3 that a threefold equivalence of description at a specific level is a necessary requirement to illustrate the formation of intention. In exposing the requirement there emerge two significant consequences for the nature of our current descriptions: a) David Chalmers ‘Hard Problem of Consciousness’ specifically results from the absence of the requirement, and similarly b) Kurt Godel’s incompleteness proofs exist as true only in an operational conception of mathematics that exists post non-inclusion of the requirement. Finally, there is reason to suggest that even if the requirement is revealed and a math of intention realised, a math of consciousness likely cannot follow from it premise – a claim very much counter-intuitive.
Author BioJack is in his final months of writing his PhD in philosophy at The University of New England in Australia. His research interests include moral philosophy and psychology, environmental ethics, the philosophy of science (sociobiology), metaphysics, and decision theory.
Download Essay PDF File
Author Jack Hamilton James wrote on Jan. 23, 2017 @ 23:31 GMT
This version is invalid and is being replaced shortly.
A temporary correct version is found here.
click
Author Jack Hamilton James replied on Jan. 24, 2017 @ 00:46 GMT
Correct version loaded. Thanks
Joe Fisher replied on Jan. 24, 2017 @ 17:04 GMT
Dear Prospective Dr. James,
Please excuse me for I do not wish to be too critical of your fine essay.
Only nature could produce a reality so simple, a single cell amoeba could deal with it.
One real visible Universe must have only one reality. Simple natural reality has nothing to do with any abstract complex musings such as your “reductive philosophy” comment describes.
The real Universe must consist only of one unified visible infinite physical surface occurring in one infinite dimension, that am always illuminated by infinite non-surface light.
A more detailed explanation of natural reality can be found in my essay, SCORE ONE FOR SIMPLICITY. I do hope that you will read my essay and comment on its merit.
Joe Fisher, Realist
report post as inappropriate
Author Jack Hamilton James replied on Jan. 25, 2017 @ 04:11 GMT
Thankyou Joe,
I, like I presume all other entries, agree there is only one reality.
In reply to your point about my complex musings, well they are descriptive insights, and such description must be a part of that one reality. The challenge is not to realise one reality but present a description that reflects as much in the limited ways it can. So such complex musings are a necessary path to that end, esp. given there is so much to deal with that we know in only some ways, and so much we dont know.
Kind regards,
Jack
Joe Fisher replied on Jan. 25, 2017 @ 16:37 GMT
Dear Jack,
Natural reality cannot be described by abstract linguistic concoctions.
Joe Fisher, Realist
report post as inappropriate
hide replies
Lee Bloomquist wrote on Jan. 25, 2017 @ 01:54 GMT
Stephen I. Ternyik wrote on Jan. 25, 2017 @ 08:13 GMT
While mathematics is a historical product or civilizational tool of human consciousness, intentions are more a part of human subconsciousness or deep psychology. Several experiments have shown that the human heart anticipates faster than the brain; a maths of intention would consequently aim to formulate these physiological processes of human psychology. Otherwise, it would be a pure academic artifact. These are the thoughts that came into my mind, after reading your interesting essay, Mr. James.
report post as inappropriate
Author Jack Hamilton James replied on Jan. 25, 2017 @ 08:38 GMT
Thankyou Stephen Ternyik (and Lee Bloomquist) for your alternative perspective of what was meant by intention.
When I assessed Brendan Fosters outline I found it to be very broad. I find consciousness, or intention in deep psychology as you suggest, to be insurmountable without advanced technology that is able to reveal the workings of the brain more effectively than fRMI. So the reduction of complex human intention, to the theoretically simpler intention found in basic life itself, as opposed to non-life, seemed quite appropriate, and indeed interesting. For it seems to me that describing this property should be a simpler task than describing an intention like ours. But we still haven’t achieved even this - and perhaps worse I argued that even if this is possible it seems unlikely we will be able to utilise it to the end of explaining consciousness and human intention.
Best,
Jack
Joe Fisher replied on Jan. 25, 2017 @ 16:48 GMT
Dear Jack,
Dr. Brendan Foster’s supplemental notes for the theme of this essay contest were quite explicit. Meandering mathematical musings have failed to produce a satisfactory explanation of the real observable Universe. All Dr. Foster suggested we do am either to confirm a mathematical explanatory proof, or furnish a more reliable one.
Joe Fisher, Realist
report post as inappropriate
David Brown wrote on Jan. 25, 2017 @ 14:09 GMT
"... Ecorithms are nature's (evolution's) algorithms . This is the idea of computational theorist Leslie Valiant (4), but none have been discovered yet. ...
(4) Valiant L, "Probably Approximately Correct: Nature's Algorithms for Learning and Prospering in a Complex World" ..." (typo in original at time of this communication)
According to Leslie Valiant, "... the goal of learning is to perform well in a world that isn’t precisely modeled ahead of time. A learning algorithm takes observations of the world, and given that information, it decides what to do and is evaluated on its decision. A point made in my book is that all the knowledge an individual has must have been acquired either through learning or through the evolutionary process. And if this is so, then individual learning and evolutionary processes should have a unified theory to explain them."
https://www.quantamagazine.org/20160128-ecorithm-compu
ters-and-life/ "Searching for the Algorithms Underlying Life" by John Pavlus (interviewing Leslie Valiant), 28 January 2016
It seems to me that there are serious problems with the scientific definitions of "goal", "learning", and what it means to "perform well". Does an oak tree learn? Is there learning in the system consisting of acorns and oak trees within a Northern hardwood forest? Does Valiant's concept of "ecorithm" involve deep problems in the foundations of quantum theory? How relevant is what Francis Crick called "molecular psychology" to the theory of machine learning?
report post as inappropriate
Stephen I. Ternyik replied on Jan. 25, 2017 @ 15:28 GMT
An algorithm is about existing knowledge, the heuristic method applies to learning. Ecorithms may apply to the animal and human mind, plants are not capable of moving. The molecular Aufbau (construction) of living matter does not apply to technical automata, automated information cannot 'die'. Consequently, algorithms of life and death are surely existent and can be formulated in a unified mathematical theory.
report post as inappropriate
Author Jack Hamilton James replied on Jan. 25, 2017 @ 21:25 GMT
Thanks for the thread commentary. Stephen's comment here is what fascinates about ecorithms, because if life arises from the physical as Tegmark argues (and life has this property of intention in its mere movement) then there must be some kind of mathematical theory of 'transference', where such life algorithms are generated by non-physical interactions.
"The molecular Aufbau (construction) of living matter does not apply to technical automata, automated information cannot 'die'. Consequently, algorithms of life and death are surely existent and can be formulated in a unified mathematical theory."
My initial philosophical thoughts on ecorithms as the 'gap filler' deterministically explaining the success of evolution at the organism level can be found
your link text[/here.]
Best,
Jack
Joseph J. Jean-Claude replied on Jan. 26, 2017 @ 01:55 GMT
Dear author,
Clearly the length limits imposed by the contest have constrained you to develop your proposal almost as an algorithm, which makes it quite difficult to read.
Nevertheless I gather that you are discussing the requisites for an eventual formal mathematical description of how life evolved from matter.
You conclude the following at the end: "We are descriptively stranded, and so whilst we may reveal a math of intention I doubt that it will provide a math of consciousness." I have to say that I disagree with your conclusion, because I unequivocally show in my essay the mathematical elements belying both consciousness and intentionality. There is one other essay here among the ones I have seen that does offer as well some mathematical elements to "meaningful information" as a prelude to intentionality and consciousness.
There is always a danger in setting limits a-priori or from a metaphysical viewpoint to what is feasible, although the effort to frame the solution elements to a problem cannot be overstated.
I suspect that your essay would have been more interesting and perhaps more eloquent if presented in a more natural language and structure, with less use of shortcuts.
Good luck.
Joseph
__________________
report post as inappropriate
Author Jack Hamilton James replied on Jan. 26, 2017 @ 02:11 GMT
Thankyou Joseph.
I did try and keep it very short and to the point and your comment 'almost as an algorithm' is quite on point.
I appreciate your disagreement. I wish to be wrong in this and I didnt expect it from my initial reasoning on the subject. Yes, I made comments on Carlo Rovelli's entry today as I thought he attempted to show what you have said. This idea of yours and his (will read your paper shortly) reminds me very much of John Locke. See what I mean from this summary here:
"For Newton the world of matter was to be described in terms of uniform particles, and the laws of its behaviour are the laws of the interactions of these particles. Locke applies this conception directly to the mind, which is treated as a box containing the mental equivalents of Newton’s particles. These particles are called ideas, and these ideas are distinct and separate entities which are simple or atomic in that they have no parts into which they can be split."
Now the issue I have with this is abstraction, which is really what I have tried to get at demonstrating through description and actual reality rather than any mental quality.
Thanks again for your comments, and I look forward to reading your essay.
Best,
Jack
Joseph J. Jean-Claude replied on Jan. 27, 2017 @ 16:17 GMT
Hello Jack.
You write: "Locke applies this conception directly to the mind, which is treated as a box containing the mental equivalents of Newton’s particles. These particles are called ideas, and these ideas are distinct and separate entities which are simple or atomic in that they have no parts into which they can be split."
I am not familiar with John Locke's philosophy. However with this view, he was right on the money! Interesting that you bring that up, because my essay precisely tries to show that cognition is based on atomic or root thoughts, which I call eigenthoughts because in their many different classes they all derive from an overarching mathematical Eigenfunction.
Henceforth, you should not have a problem with that abstraction because it is widely mathematically substantiated as you will see.
Thank you for your feedback.
Joseph
________________
report post as inappropriate
Author Jack Hamilton James replied on Jan. 27, 2017 @ 20:58 GMT
Thanks Joseph,
You might enjoy the full article that quote was taken from. Its an outline of Locke's ideas:
LinkBest,
Jack
Joseph J. Jean-Claude replied on Jan. 28, 2017 @ 23:12 GMT
Hello Jack.
Have read it all.
Now I can claim I am no longer unfamiliar with John Locke's philosophy! More versed as I am in the French philosophical tradition...
Thank you.
Joseph
report post as inappropriate
hide replies
Stephen I. Ternyik wrote on Jan. 26, 2017 @ 11:07 GMT
Ecorithms within evolution (?) makes sense, a very good article. The Tegmark-Valiant argument of computational evolution is a decisive one; however, a clear disntinction between maths (tool) and computation (evolution) must be elaborated. Human technological (tech-know-logical) is most probably an extension of natural evolution; with the help of mathematical tools, the human mind could rise over the animal mind while advanced computation makes the algorithms of life and death more accessible, in terms of scientific models. The heuristic part of this research quest is for me the most exciting, i.e. how does a living and learning organism like a human being detect algorithms ?
report post as inappropriate
Stephen I. Ternyik wrote on Jan. 26, 2017 @ 11:08 GMT
Human technological= evolution =(missing word)
report post as inappropriate
Harry Hamlin Ricker III wrote on Jan. 31, 2017 @ 15:04 GMT
Hi, The good part is that this essay appears to address the question posed for the essay contest. However, this essay is too esoteric and doesnt seem to have any purpose, objective, or focus.
report post as inappropriate
James Lee Hoover wrote on Feb. 1, 2017 @ 17:22 GMT
Jack,
A heuristic approach which is keenly relevant and smartly done but which actually defines the inscrutability of the topic. Contrarily, I wonder if my essay has any great precision in touching on aims and intention.
Jim Hoover
report post as inappropriate
Satyavarapu Naga Parameswara Gupta wrote on Feb. 13, 2017 @ 03:40 GMT
Thanks for the Good analytical essay James,
You discussed nicely many present day problems in this science.
Your words in section 4a….. ‘Is it a unique part or property that differs life from non-life? (If so we have a discovery problem)’…..
1. Brain is analogous to Computer hardware
And Mind is analogous to Computer software say operating system....
The life to non-life is the failure of software...
Eg., We see in the "Brain dead" people, all hard ware is working, but software not working.... So if we can find out way to upload software again, such people may live...
We did some work on this line…
2. Another observation …. How can we measure consciousness?
What do you say?
report post as inappropriate
Satyavarapu Naga Parameswara Gupta wrote on Feb. 13, 2017 @ 03:48 GMT
I request you also have look at my essay on Dynamic Universe model and give your esteemed opinion….
Best wishes
snp.gupta
report post as inappropriate
Satyavarapu Naga Parameswara Gupta wrote on Feb. 13, 2017 @ 06:21 GMT
Dear James,
I saw your post on my essay, you are very intelligent, very nice,
Thank you very much for your nice remarks, I request you to please have look at my blog also
http://vaksdynamicuniversemodel.blogspot.in/
I like to work with you for a combined paper on your subject...
best Wishes to you...
snp.gupta
report post as inappropriate
Satyavarapu Naga Parameswara Gupta replied on Mar. 18, 2017 @ 10:12 GMT
Hi james
I want you to have visit to my essay to...
where ……………reproduction of Galaxies in the Universe is described. Dynamic Universe Model is another mathematical model for Universe. Its mathematics show that the movement of masses will be having a purpose or goal, Different Galaxies will be born and die (quench) etc…just have a look at the essay… “Distances,...
view entire post
Hi james
I want you to have visit to my essay to...
where ……………reproduction of Galaxies in the Universe is described. Dynamic Universe Model is another mathematical model for Universe. Its mathematics show that the movement of masses will be having a purpose or goal, Different Galaxies will be born and die (quench) etc…just have a look at the essay… “Distances, Locations, Ages and Reproduction of Galaxies in our Dynamic Universe” where UGF (Universal Gravitational force) acting on each and every mass, will create a direction and purpose of movement…..
I think intension is inherited from Universe itself to all Biological systems
For your information Dynamic Universe model is totally based on experimental results. Here in Dynamic Universe Model Space is Space and time is time in cosmology level or in any level. In the classical general relativity, space and time are convertible in to each other.
Many papers and books on Dynamic Universe Model were published by the author on unsolved problems of present day Physics, for example ‘Absolute Rest frame of reference is not necessary’ (1994) , ‘Multiple bending of light ray can create many images for one Galaxy: in our dynamic universe’, About “SITA” simulations, ‘Missing mass in Galaxy is NOT required’, “New mathematics tensors without Differential and Integral equations”, “Information, Reality and Relics of Cosmic Microwave Background”, “Dynamic Universe Model explains the Discrepancies of Very-Long-Baseline Interferometry Observations.”, in 2015 ‘Explaining Formation of Astronomical Jets Using Dynamic Universe Model, ‘Explaining Pioneer anomaly’, ‘Explaining Near luminal velocities in Astronomical jets’, ‘Observation of super luminal neutrinos’, ‘Process of quenching in Galaxies due to formation of hole at the center of Galaxy, as its central densemass dries up’, “Dynamic Universe Model Predicts the Trajectory of New Horizons Satellite Going to Pluto” etc., are some more papers from the Dynamic Universe model. Four Books also were published. Book1 shows Dynamic Universe Model is singularity free and body to collision free, Book 2, and Book 3 are explanation of equations of Dynamic Universe model. Book 4 deals about prediction and finding of Blue shifted Galaxies in the universe.
With axioms like… No Isotropy; No Homogeneity; No Space-time continuum; Non-uniform density of matter(Universe is lumpy); No singularities; No collisions between bodies; No Blackholes; No warm holes; No Bigbang; No repulsion between distant Galaxies; Non-empty Universe; No imaginary or negative time axis; No imaginary X, Y, Z axes; No differential and Integral Equations mathematically; No General Relativity and Model does not reduce to General Relativity on any condition; No Creation of matter like Bigbang or steady-state models; No many mini Bigbangs; No Missing Mass; No Dark matter; No Dark energy; No Bigbang generated CMB detected; No Multi-verses etc.
Many predictions of Dynamic Universe Model came true, like Blue shifted Galaxies and no dark matter. Dynamic Universe Model gave many results otherwise difficult to explain
Have a look at my essay on Dynamic Universe Model and its blog also where all my books and papers are available for free downloading…
http://vaksdynamicuniversemodel.blogspot.in/
Be
st wishes to your essay.
For your blessings please…………….
=snp. gupta
view post as summary
report post as inappropriate
Edwin Eugene Klingman wrote on Feb. 14, 2017 @ 21:16 GMT
Jack Hamilton James,
I think you've written an excellent essay on the assigned topic. You consider how 'mindless math' could lead to aims and intentions (associated with life versus non-life) and analyze possibilities, including a.) discovery, b.) recipe, c.) recipe for emergence. You then discuss the interesting perspective that the emergence (internal recipe) is equivalent to a math description (external recipe) and physics/measurement type description (encumbered recipe)
only at the time of emergence. Not sure I see the absolute necessity of this but it feels right.
The key question is:
is consciousness inherently universe, or an artifact? You know from my essay that I believe it is inherent. 'Thinking' or 'intelligence' is an
artifact, derived from structural 'logic'. This deals with past, present, and future, while conscious awareness is always of 'Now'.
Chalmers, once viewed as the Dean of consciousness, admits that he hasn't a clue, "but it must be physical". He notes that
"
Panpsychism is not as unreasonable as is often supposed, and there is no knockdown argument against it."
But "For theory of consciousness, new fundamental features and laws are needed."
Finally, Santayana:
"All of our sorrow is real, but the atoms of which we are made are indifferent."
I wrote a book 10 years ago that I think you might enjoy.
Gene Man's World ISBN-13:978-9791765-5-5.
Edwin Eugene Klingman
report post as inappropriate
Author Jack Hamilton James replied on Feb. 15, 2017 @ 07:14 GMT
Thanks for your kind comments Edwin.
I certainly assumed math as the root of ontology as I wanted to start from Tegmarks premise (MUH).
Ive reflected further here:
http://philosopher.io/Structure-Generation-Mind-Description
W
ill read your book in a few months once im clear of my PhD, and another book ive already promised to read.
Best,
Jack
Author Jack Hamilton James wrote on Feb. 15, 2017 @ 07:15 GMT
I've written a follow-up article to my entry if anyone is interested.
http://philosopher.io/Structure-Generation-Mind-D
escription
Thanks,
Jack
Peter Jackson wrote on Mar. 4, 2017 @ 14:14 GMT
Jack
Beautifully written essay, right on topic, logically set out and argued, so rather head and shoulders above very many.
In scoring 'agreement' isn't a criteria but I do agree most argument and propositions.
I was particularly interested in your analysis of;
"Can we explain behavioural movement of life in quantum terms?(3) (And so intention appearing)."However through my own last 2 essays (the last scored top!) I've developed a classical analogue of QM, and now show a mechanism able to reproduce the orthogonal complmentarity of Cos[su]2 curves, so apparently allowing access into the physical world at that scale. Of course it may take 10 years and many suicides before any such heresy enters doctrine! but the mechanism is simple an reproducable so seems rather self apparent. Perhaps if you know enough of QM's foundations (but haven't bought it's weirdness) you may comment.
Do you think we'll be entirely 'descriptively stranded' forever?
But back to yours. Excellent job and a deserved score boost coming (and best of luck with your PhD).
Best wishes
Peter
report post as inappropriate
Author Jack Hamilton James replied on Mar. 6, 2017 @ 08:17 GMT
Thanks Peter, Have responded in your essay. Best, Jack
Dizhechko Boris Semyonovich wrote on Mar. 13, 2017 @ 08:25 GMT
Dear Jack Hamilton James!
I appreciate your essay. You spent a lot of effort to write it.
If you believed in the principle of identity of space and matter of Descartes, then your essay would be even better. I invite you to familiarize yourself with New Cartesian Physic
I wish to see your criticism on the New Cartesian Physic, the founder of which I call myself.
The concept of moving space-matter helped me:
- The uncertainty principle Heisenberg to make the principle of definiteness of points of space-matter;
- Open the law of the constancy of the flow of forces through a closed surface is the sphere of space-matter;
- Open the law of universal attraction of Lorentz;
- Give the formula for the pressure of the Universe;
- To give a definition of gravitational mass as the flow vector of the centrifugal acceleration across the surface of the corpuscles, etc.
New Cartesian Physic has great potential in understanding the world. To show this potential in essay I risked give «The way of The materialist explanation of the paranormal and the supernatural” - Is the name of my essay.
. Visit my essay and you will find something in it about New Cartesian Physic. Note my statement that our brain creates an image of the outside world no inside, and in external space. Hope you rate my essay as high as I am yours. I am waiting your post.
Sincerely,
Dizhechko Boris
report post as inappropriate
Login or
create account to post reply or comment.