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Article 1848 of comp.ai.philosophy:
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>From: erwin@trwacs.UUCP (Harry Erwin)
Newsgroups: comp.ai.philosophy
Subject: Re: Carlson's claim that dialectic cannot be formalized
Message-ID: <447@trwacs.UUCP>
Date: 4 Dec 91 14:01:02 GMT
References: <40026@dime.cs.umass.edu> <a6sDcB1w164w@depsych.Gwinnett.COM>
Organization: TRW Systems Division, Fairfax VA
Lines: 40

In Levins and Lewontin, the Dialectical Biologist, Harvard University
Press, 1985, a series of dialectical principles are listed. (I have other
background in this area, but the relationship to non-linear dynamics is
most obvious in LL.)

1. The whole is a relation of heterogeneous parts that have no prior
independent existence _as parts_.

2. In general, the properties of parts have no prior alienated existence
but are acquired by being parts of a particular whole.

3. The interpenetration of parts and wholes is a consequence of the
interchangeability of subject and object, of cause and effect. 

These principles result in a pair of assertions:

1. There is no basement (no basic units).

2. We are directed toward an explanation of change in terms of the
opposing processes united within each object.

My experience is that these principles are linked to principles of
non-linear systems analysis, and then (by going to topological models) to
bifurcation theory. Principles 1 and 2 are statements of the underlying
non-linearity of the system and the relative strength of the interactions
between subsystems of the system. Principle 3 reflects a duality in those
systems between a description of subsystems by function performed and a
description by data state transformations. Assertion 1 describes a
heterogenity that is common in real non-linear systems, and Assertion
2 directs us towards understanding the dynamics of the subsystem
in terms of the opposing forces that cause it to converge to a fixed
point, limit cycle, or strange attractor.

I know it's mysticism, but it has been useful in my work.

Cheers,
-- 
Harry Erwin
Internet: erwin@trwacs.fp.trw.com



