Notion Of Form Research Articles

Normativity, volitional capacities, and rationality as a form of life

Contemporary neo-Aristotelianism attempts to ground normative constraints on action on the notion of human nature and this opens it to two main objections: Firstly, human nature seems to be too indeterminate to set constraints on action; secondly, it is unclear why knowledge of human nature should motivate agents. This essay considers the contribution that Wittgenstein’s notion of form of life can give in answering these challenges. It suggests that forms of life are not objects of analysis, but rather a new philosophical method, which allows us also to investigate human volitional capacities and their normative significance for practical rationality.

Hervaeus Natalis and his polemics with the early scotists about formalities and formal distinction in God

The article is devoted to Hervaeus Natalis, also known as Hervaeus drom Nedellec, who was an outstanding theologian at the end of 13th — beginning of 14th centuries (c. 1260–1323). Brief biographical information about Hervaeus is provided and his importance for medieval thought is emphasized. The subject matter of the article is the consideration of a formal difference, or formal distinction in God. The introduction of this concept is usually associated with the name of Duns Scotus, and there is every reason for this: although Duns was not the inventor of formal distinction as such, it was he who put it at the heart of his trinitarian theology. The concept of formal difference is inextricably linked to the concept of formalities, which in this context mean those ontological subunits in a concrete single essence between which there is a formal difference. The basic impetus to the introduction of both concepts was the necessity for rational expression of distinction between common divine nature and those relations by which Persons are constituted (relations of fatherhood, sonship, etc.), and also between different divine attributes. The task was, on the one hand, not to destroy the absolute real unity in God, and, on the other hand to explain certain differences that exist in him before any act of intellect, even divine intellect. Therefore, the notion of formality as a correlate “from the nature of the thing”, which corresponds to any attribute or relation, is conceivable in a separate concept.

Language as a Dynamic System

In this article, we examine the key ideas of Wilhelm von Humboldt about language and their relevance to the contemporary research in the field of linguistics. In his works, N. Chomsky describes Humboldt as a key predecessor of the generative approach. The authors discuss the concrete aspects of Humboldt’s influence on generative linguistics drawing special attention to his notion of Form. The authors also observe that Humboldt’s works also contain statements about the deep differences that exist between different languages, as well as statements that different languages can form different pictures of the world. These ideas resonate with philosophical ideas about linguistic relativity (the famous Sapir – Whorf hypothesis), which are incompatible with generative linguistics. The authors try to reconcile an apparent contradiction by appealing to two different perspectives on language that they call the dynamic and the static one. They provide arguments in favor of the former and explore existing arguments against the later, which is associated with the aforementioned hypothesis. The authors conclude by pointing out that Humboldt’s legacy has so many facets that it introduces to incompatible views on language each of which had a serious impact on the studies of language in the 20th century.

Współczynnik humanistyczny Floriana Znanieckiego w nowych kontekstach doświadczeń autobiograficznych

Artykuł podnosi kwestię aktualności refleksji Floriana Znanieckiego, jednego z najbardziej oryginalnych polskich socjologów XX wieku. W centrum rozważań stawiamy jednak współczynnik humanistyczny, który jako jedno z podstawowych pojęć Znanieckiego stanowi inspirację do analiz problemu wielozmysłowości doświadczenia. Zawarte w tekście odniesienia do pragmatyzmu i warsztatowo-źródłowych problemów metody autobiograficznej mają na celu podkreślenie ważności doświadczenia i działania. Doświadczenie, będące cechą tego współczynnika, należy rozpatrywać w perspektywie nowoczesnych obszarów działań twórczych, które, po pierwsze, wymuszają na podmiotach odpowiedni charakter kompetencji. Po drugie, dzięki zakorzenianiu w coraz intensywniej rozwijających się obszarach doświadczeń multimedialnych pomagają trafniej formułować ważne problemy badawcze. Chodzi zwłaszcza o problemy dotyczące tych dziedzin rzeczywistości, w których wielozmysłowość rejestracji doświadczenia pozwala zbliżyć horyzonty potocznych i eksperckich interpretacji. Szansa na to zbliżenie tkwi w pracy nad sposobami powiązań pojęć przeżyciowych i formalnych, stosowanych zarówno w działaniach teoretycznych, jak i praktycznych.

Knowledge Second

Classical philosophical analyses seek to explain knowledge as deriving from more basic notions. The influential “knowledge first” program in epistemology reverses this tradition, taking knowledge as its starting point. From the perspective of epistemic logic, however, this is not so much a reversal as it is the default—the field arguably begins with the specialization of “necessity” to “epistemic necessity”—that is, it begins with knowledge. In this context, putting knowledge second would be the reversal. This article motivates, develops, and explores such a “knowledge second” approach in epistemic logic, founded on distinguishing what a body of evidence actually entails from what it is (merely) believed to entail. We import a logical framework that captures exactly this distinction, use it to define formal notions of (internal and external) justification and knowledge, and investigate applications to the KK principle, the “strong belief” postulate, and the regress problem.

Клієнтелізм як політико-психологічний феномен

У статті розглянуто явище клієнтелізму у розрізі процесів моделювання систем представництва інтересів в політиці. Окреслено історичні етапи його становлення та функціонування. Виокремлено його специфіку як політико-психологічного феномену.
 Доведено, що, зростаюча спеціалізація та інституалізація політичної діяльності у демократичних суспільствах не припинила клієнтелістичних практик, не зважаючи на їх архаїчність та невідповідність етичним принципам демократичного ідеалу. Актуальність клієнтелізму пояснюється його глибинною психологічною природою. Клієнтелізм завжди грунтується на персоналізованих обмінах та інструментах впливу, а клієнтела представляє собою спільноту, яка базується на психологічній сумісності матеріально та емоційно залежних від лідера членів, і функціонує на основі їх безумовного підпорядкування.
 Обгрунтовано, що на сучасному етапі клієнтелізм здебівльшого знаходить благодатний грунт на локальному рівні політики. Дана характеристика локального політичного режиму. Показано, що локальні політичні клієнтели будуються за принципом вертикальної мережи, в якій в ролі привілейованих «патронів» виступають формальні інститути влади, а залежні від них «клієнти» (різноманітні групи інтересів) намагаються впливати на прийняття рішень через опосередковані механізми нерівноцінного обміну в умовах монополії на доступ до ресурсів. У такій ситуації головним інструментом забезпечення панівних позицій місцевої влади стає адміністративний ресурс. Найбільш наочно специфіка локального клієтелізму проявляється у перехідних суспільствах. Зокрема багатий фактологічний матеріал для аналізу клієнтелізму як соціального, економічного, політичного явища та психологічного феномену надає нам пострадянській простір. Показано, що в період системних трансформацій, клієн-тела може бути прийнятною як «перехідна» модель представництва інтересів в політиці, адже за умов її тимчасовості сприятиме консолідації місцевої влади, місцевих еліт та громади. Втім якщо на зміну клієнтелі не прийде більш інституціалізована система політичних ролей, це може значно загальмувати демократичний транзит.
 На основі політико-психологічного аналізу відносин клієнтелістичного типу відзначено, що вони не є антагоністичними демократії та не перебувають у повному протиріччі з бюрократичною логікою її політико-адміністративних інституцій. І хоча офіційні уявлення про легітимні форми представництва інтересів в політиці призводять до дискредитації клієнтелізму і, через це, телепортують його в сфери неофіційних коридорів влади, дане явище залишається структурованою частиною представницьких демократій у силу його психологічної природи.

Argument evaluation in multi-agent justification logics

Abstract Argument evaluation , one of the central problems in argumentation theory, consists in studying what makes an argument a good one. This paper proposes a formal approach to argument evaluation from the perspective of justification logic. We adopt a multi-agent setting, accepting the intuitive idea that arguments are always evaluated by someone. Two general restrictions are imposed on our analysis: non-deductive arguments are left out and the goal of argument evaluation is fixed: supporting a given proposition. Methodologically, our approach uses several existing tools borrowed from justification logic, awareness logic, doxastic logic and logics for belief dependence. We start by introducing a basic logic for argument evaluation, where a list of argumentative and doxastic notions can be expressed. Later on, we discuss how to capture the mentioned form of argument evaluation by defining a preference operator in the object language. The intuitive picture behind this definition is that, when assessing a couple of arguments, the agent puts them to a test consisting of several criteria (filters). As a result of this process, a preference relation among the evaluated arguments is established by the agent. After showing that this operator suffers a special form of logical omniscience, called preferential omniscience, we discuss how to define an explicit version of it, more suitable to deal with non-ideal agents. The present work exploits the formal notion of awareness in order to model several informal phenomena: awareness of sentences, availability of arguments and communication between agents and external sources (advisers). We discuss several extensions of the basic logic and offer completeness and decidability results for all of them.

Who will Save the Redheads? Towards an Anti-Bully Theory of Judicial Review and Protection of Democracy

This article analyses three main tensions situated at the heart of democratic erosion processes around the world: the conflict between substantive and formal notions of democracy; a conflict between believers and non-believers that courts can save democracy; and the tension between strategic and legal considerations that courts consider when facing pressure from political branches. At its core, the article argues that courts have an important role in protecting democracy against constitutional reforms eroding the constitutional order, and that courts should stand firm against pressure and do their best to protect democracy.

The Compound of Substratum and Essence. On a Puzzling Reference in Aristotle’s Metaphysics Z 13.1038b2–3

Abstract In this paper I deal with a puzzling passage, which occurs in Metaphysics Z 13.1038b2 – 3 and where Aristotle mentions four possible meanings of substance: the substratum, the essence, the compound of these (τὸ ἐκ τούτων) and the universal. This list accords only partially with the previous one in Z 3.1028b33–36, where Aristotle mentions the substratum, the essence, the universal and the genus. Thus, Z 13’s list omits Z 3’s genus, but includes τὸ ἐκ τούτων, which is standardly used by Aristotle to refer to the compound of matter and form. This is puzzling, for at least two reasons: (1) it is not clear what has happened to Z 3’s genus; (2) it is not clear what exactly is the reference of τὸ ἐκ τούτων, for the context suggests, at first glance awkwardly, that the compound in question is that of substratum and essence, and not of matter and form. These problems have led some scholars to delete τὸ ἐκ τούτων from the list. In this paper I provide two sets of arguments in order to resist the deletion. In the first set I show how, at least in principle, it would not be inaccurate to define the compound of matter and form as a “compound of substratum and essence”. In the second set, I show how, in fact, through the reference to the compound of substratum and essence, Aristotle does not want to designate, in Z 13, the hylomorphic composite. Rather, he aims to designate the notion of form regarded as universal, namely as ‘species’, which seems to reveal a peculiar sort of composition between a substratum (its genus) and an essence (its specific difference).

Capitalism and the Nature of Life-Forms

ABSTRACT The article critically discusses Rahel Jaeggi’s recent philosophical contribution to a critical theory of capitalism. The first part reconstructs Jaeggi’s account of Lebensform, life-form, that builds up the main ontological framework for addressing and problematizing capitalism intended not as an economic system but as a social whole. The second part focuses on the three different theoretical strategies that Jaeggi puts forward to detect and deal with capitalism’s immanent flaws. The third and last part problematizes the metaphysical assumptions and implications of Jaeggi’s understanding of life-form and outlines a more dialectical, or “transactional” notion of form of life, which is inspired by Dewey’s non-reductionist naturalist method of inquiry. The overall aim is to strengthen the philosophical critique of the capitalist form of life.

Design Strategies in Science Centre

This study presents semiotics semantics theory as a possible standard for exploring the interrelations amid learning and the design of informal learning environments. The theoretical notions of classification (Bernstein, 1996), formality (Halliday, 1996), and framing (Bernstein, 1996) were sourced to explain the approach in selected exhibition galleries in Petrosains. Studies on the relationships between signs and symbols and what they represent, especially the relations between form and their reference in the physical world or the world of ideas, have been performed. Applying the semiotics semantics theory to the science centre settings has significant ability for expanding awareness of the role that exhibition plays in the visitor experience, and apprising the design strategies. The findings suggest that the representational modes do promote an investigative learning of science in pedagogical functioning.

Model-based testing of stochastically timed systems

Many systems are inherently stochastic: they interact with unpredictable environments or use randomised algorithms. Classical model-based testing is insufficient for such systems: it only covers functional correctness. In this paper, we present two model-based testing frameworks that additionally cover the stochastic aspects in hard and soft real-time systems. Using the theory of Markov automata and stochastic automata for specifications, test cases, and a formal notion of conformance, they provide clean mechanisms to represent underspecification, randomisation, and stochastic timing. Markov automata provide a simple memoryless model of time, while stochastic automata support arbitrary continuous and discrete probability distributions. We cleanly define the theoretical foundations, outline practical algorithms for statistical conformance checking, and evaluate both frameworks’ capabilities by testing timing aspects of the Bluetooth device discovery protocol. We highlight the trade-off of simple and efficient statistical evaluation for Markov automata versus precise and realistic modelling with stochastic automata.

Part 2: Theoretical equivalence in physics

AbstractI review the philosophical literature on the question of when two physical theories are equivalent. This includes a discussion of empirical equivalence, which is often taken to be necessary, and sometimes taken to be sufficient, for theoretical equivalence; and “interpretational” equivalence, which is the idea that two theories are equivalent just in case they have the same interpretation. It also includes a discussion of several formal notions of equivalence that have been considered in the recent philosophical literature, including (generalized) definitional equivalence and categorical equivalence. The article concludes with a brief discussion of the relationship between equivalence and duality. The article is in two parts; this is Part 2, which addresses categorical equivalence, interpretational equivalence, and duality.

Part 1: Theoretical equivalence in physics

AbstractI review the philosophical literature on the question of when two physical theories are equivalent. This includes a discussion of empirical equivalence, which is often taken to be necessary, and sometimes taken to be sufficient, for theoretical equivalence; and “interpretational” equivalence, which is the idea that two theories are equivalent just in case they have the same interpretation. It also includes a discussion of several formal notions of equivalence that have been considered in the recent philosophical literature, including (generalized) definitional equivalence and categorical equivalence. The article concludes with a brief discussion of the relationship between equivalence and duality. The article is in two parts; this is Part 1, which addresses empirical equivalence and definitional equivalence.

Equivariant de Rham cohomology: theory and applications

This is a survey on the equivariant cohomology of Lie group actions on manifolds, from the point of view of de Rham theory. Emphasis is put on the notion of equivariant formality, as well as on applications to ordinary cohomology and to fixed points.

Superrational types

AbstractWe present a formal analysis of Douglas Hofstadter’s concept of superrationality. We start by defining superrationally justifiable actions, and study them in symmetric games. We then model the beliefs of the players, in a way that leads them to different choices than the usual assumption of rationality by restricting the range of conceivable choices. These beliefs are captured in the formal notion of type drawn from epistemic game theory. The theory of coalgebras is used to frame type spaces and to account for the existence of some of them. We find conditions that guarantee superrational outcomes.

Three Concepts of Form in Simmel’s Sociology

This paper poses a simple question that is hard to answer: what does Simmel mean by “form” in Sociology? We pursue this question in three major steps: First we articulate why it is important to understand what Simmel means by form in Sociology; second we explain why it is difficult to understand Simmel’s notion of form; and third we develop what might be considered a pragmatist answer: namely, that there is no single meaning but that depending on his argumentative purposes, Simmel utilizes at least three different but interrelated notions, which we designate as “geometric,” “transcendental,” and “vitalist.”

Artistic Formalism in Relation to Sport

I argue that sport can be considered aesthetic and thus converge with a certain view of art. We can enjoy abundance and proliferation as well as negation and austerity in nature, art and sport. The aesthetics of abundance and negation are “intertwined” in sport as art-like. Sport is well positioned to perform art’s cultural task better than traditional forms of art. Art and sport are intertwined in the sense that sport as an aesthetic, cultural phenomenon may continue the work of art. By aesthetics, the author focuses on notions of formalism in sport. This “will to form” is predicated on the need humans have for order, pattern and harmony. In that sense, art and sport might offer us a vision of clarity and precision. A theory of formalism applies equally to art and sport.

Weak Values and Two-State Vector Formalism in Elementary Scattering and Reflectivity—A New Effect

The notions of Weak Value (WV) and Two-State Vector Formalism (TSVF), firstly introduced by Aharonov and collaborators, provide a quantum-theoretical formalism of extracting new information from a system in the limit of small disturbances to its state. Here, we explore two applications to the case of non-relativistic two-body scattering with one body weakly interacting with its environment. We present a physically compelling analysis of a new quantum effect: momentum transfer deficit and an accompanying enhanced energy transfer; or, equivalently, an apparent mass-deficit of the struck body. First, incoherent inelastic neutron scattering (INS) from protons of H 2 molecules in C-nanotubes is investigated. The data of the H 2 translational motion along the nanotube shows that the neutron apparently exchanges energy and momentum with a fictitious particle with mass of 0.64 atomic mass units (a.m.u.), which is in blatant contradiction with the expected value of 2 a.m.u. Second, the same theory is applied to neutron reflectivity—which is elastic and coherent—from the interface of (single crystal) Si with H 2 O-D 2 O liquid mixtures. The data shows a striking enhanced reflectivity in a wide range of momentum transfers, which is tantamount to a momentum-transfer deficit with respect to conventional expectations. However, these effects find a natural interpretation within the WV-TSVF theoretical analysis under consideration. In summary, both scattering effects contradict conventional theoretical expectations, thus also supporting the novelty of the theoretical framework of WV and TVSF. Additionally, it should be pointed out that the two dynamical variables in the interaction Hamiltonian of the theoretical model belong to two different physical bodies.

Matching Anonymized and Obfuscated Time Series to Users’ Profiles

Many popular applications use traces of user data to offer various services to their users. However, even if user data are anonymized and obfuscated, a user's privacy can be compromised through the use of statistical matching techniques that match a user trace to prior user behavior. In this paper, we derive the theoretical bounds on the privacy of users in such a scenario. We build on our recent study in the area of location privacy, in which we introduced formal notions of location privacy for anonymization-based location privacy-protection mechanisms. Here, we derive the fundamental limits of user privacy when both anonymization and obfuscation-based protection mechanisms are applied to users' time series of data. We investigate the impact of such mechanisms on the tradeoff between privacy protection and user utility. We first study achievability results for the case where the time-series of users are governed by an independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) process. The converse results are proved both for the i.i.d. case as well as the more general Markov chain model. We demonstrate that as the number of users in the network grows, the obfuscation-anonymization plane can be divided into two regions: in the first region, all users have perfect privacy; and, in the second region, no user has privacy.