Re: Axiomatic ontology
Avril,
On Jan 28, 2008 3:19 PM, Avril Styrman <Avril.Styrman@helsinki.fi> wrote:
> Rob,
>
> > It is exactly our understanding of what we mean by "the universe"
> > which differs. What I like about "tags" is that they provide the means
> > to express that, not that they allow different labels for the same
> > idea. Assert that they all express the same idea and you miss my
> > point.
> >
> > Simply put, that there will always be different ways of looking at the
> > same thing.
>
> I'd agree with about everything else, but for this specific idea about the
> totality of all that exists, I cannot see two different ways of
> understanding it. Of course, everybody surely has a little different view
> about just how it is, but this does not matter: it is in some way in any case.
I thought Russell's paradox might provide a hint where any complete
conception could tie itself in knots. A set that both is and is not a
member of itself. Maybe "the universe" is that way.
> > I'm not sure if it is worth my time to continue to argue this though.
> > I feel you are bent on elaborating an axiomatic ontology no matter
> > what.
>
> So, do you think there is any other way to do analysis? It is only clear and
> honest to spell out axiomatically the principles that one holds. It is
> better than to use some principles anyway, without stating them
> axiomatically, don't you think?
I think language can provide a solution, a way to pin meaning down. As
I mentioned a couple of times relationships between words show the
kind of complexity we are looking for: each pattern containing its own
contradiction etc. This has always been a puzzle for grammar, but it
can be a solution for the representation of meaning.
"Tags" are something of a compromise. But as a crude reflection of
multiple perspectives they are better than nothing.
Perhaps there might be some kind of "geometric" solution like the
Category Theory maths is toying with. I don't know enough about
Category Theory to make a specific proposal, but it strikes me as
worth looking at.
-Rob