Bruno Marchal writes:
(*) Well, I'm certainly interested in that naming issue, and perhaps I
could ask you right now what expression do you find the less shocking:
"Physics is derivable from machine psychology", or
"Physics is derivable from machine theology" ?
'course, you can put "computer science" or "number theory" instead of
machine psycho or theology, but then the reference to a soul or a person is
eliminated, and giving the current tendency of many scientist to just
eliminate the person from the possible object of rational inquiry, I prefer
to avoid it. Note that in "conscience and mechanism" I have used the
expression "theology", and in "computability, physics and cognition", I
have been asked to use "psychology" instead. I find "theology" much more
correct and honest, but then I realise (empirically) that it it could seem
too much shocking for some people (especially the atheist). What do you
think?
I have already avoid "metaphysics" because it is confusing in the
metamathematical (Godelian) context, and also I'm in a country where the
word "metaphysics" already means "crackpot". Does the word "theology" means
"crackpot" in some country ? I don't think so, but please tell me if you
know about such practice.
My opinion is that "theology" would create at least as a bad an impression
as "metaphysics" in the English-speaking world, if the intended audience is
philosophers or scientists. "Psychology" is a more neutral and acceptable
word.
That's the easy part of your post to answer. The modal logic problems will
need more than a few spare moments at work...
Stathis Papaioannou
_________________________________________________________________
realestate.com.au: the biggest address in property
http://ninemsn.realestate.com.au
