On Tue, 20 Feb 2007, Richard Loosemore wrote: ) Bo Morgan wrote: ) > On Tue, 20 Feb 2007, Richard Loosemore wrote: ) > ) > In regard to your comments about complexity theory: from what I understand, ) > it is primarily about taking simple physics models and trying to explain ) > complicated datasets by recognizing these simple models. These simple ) > "complexity theory" patterns can be found in complicated datasets for the ) > purpose of inference, but do they get us closer to human thought? ) ) Uh, no: this is a misunderstanding of what complexity is about. The point of ) complexity is that some types of (extremely nonlinear) systems can show ) interesting regularities in high-level descriptions of their behavior, but [it ) has been postulated that] there is no tractable theory that will ever be able ) to relate the observed high-level regularities to the low-level mechanisms ) that drive the system. The high level behavior is not random, but you cannot ) explain it using the kind of analytic approaches that work with simple [sic] ) physical systems. ) ) This is a huge topic, and I think we're talking past each other: you may want ) to go read up on it (Mitchell Waldrop's book is a good, though non-technical ) introduction to the idea).
Okay. Thanks for the pointer. I'm very interested in simple and easily understood ideas. :) They make easy-to-understand theories. ) > Do they tell us what grief is doing when a loved one dies? ) > Do these inference system tell us why we get depressed when we keep ) > failing to accomplish our goals? ) > Do they give a model for understanding why we feel proud when we are ) > encouraged by our parents? ) > ) > These questions are trying to get at some of the most powerful thought ) > processes in humans. ) ) If you are attacking the ability of "simple logical inference systems" to ) cover these topics, I kind of agree with you. But you are diving into some ) very complicated, high-level stuff there. Nothing wrong with that in ) principle, but these are deep waters. Your examples are all about the ) motivational/emotional system. I have many ideas about how that is ) implemented, so you can rest assured that I, at least, am not ignoring them. ) (And, again: I *am* taking a complex systems approach). ) ) Can't speak for anyone else, though. ) ) ) Richard Loosemore ) ) ----- ) This list is sponsored by AGIRI: http://www.agiri.org/email ) To unsubscribe or change your options, please go to: ) http://v2.listbox.com/member/?list_id=303 ) ----- This list is sponsored by AGIRI: http://www.agiri.org/email To unsubscribe or change your options, please go to: http://v2.listbox.com/member/?list_id=303
