To: Jonathan
From: Roger
Re: Random Patterns
Jonathan wrote:
"The difference between the random and non-random viewpoint is one of
perception, and has no basis in the property of the gas. Thus, randomness
cannot be considered an objective property of the whole system."
Jonathan, allow me to explore this statement further and see where it
leads.......
There are a lot of issues and even metaphysical assumptions involved in your
two sentences. Including what is the nature of pattern? What is the nature of
random? What is the relationship of reality to models of reality? Is
objectivity a measure of reality or of our models? And, can a quality
viewpoint have 'no basis in the property' of that which it seeks to model?
I don't intend this to agree or disagree with your web page, which was
probably intended for a broader (non-MOQ) audience, as much as I want to
explore these intriguing concepts and continue a dialogue.
WHAT ARE PATTERNS?
They are simplifications of experience based on large scale general features
of reality. We have evolved over billions of years to be experts at quick
and dirty pattern detection. Patterns are in essence simplified, generalized
models of reality. They are not the reality they describe, but they can
correlate with it.
As an example, a squirrel is a great pattern recognition device for
experiences that we know of as hawks and nuts, but not for the experience of
reading. Humans are great at 'patterning' experience into all four levels.
ARE PATTERNS 'OBJECTIVE'?
This is a tough topic in the MOQ because it involves the terminology and
baggage of the metaphysics it seeks to replace. 'Empirical' is a better term
in our philosophy. However, we should be able to clarify and decode the "o"
word by restating it in MOQese.
I would offer that we can still use the term 'objectivity' as the measure of
a model's correlation with experience. Some patterns can therefore be
considered very objective. Reality, or experience, certainly has general
features that we form models or patterns of. And these patterns should of
course not be dismissed as imaginary. Philosophers could argue forever over
whether or not reality is a figment of imagination, but surely we will all
agree that imagination definitely is a figment of reality. On the other hand,
man is the measure of pattern, as we choose which features of reality to
attend to, to emphasize, to ignore, and to model. A man's patterns can
differ from a squirrel's, just as their experiences can differ.
In your above quote, I would suggest a pattern could be considered objective
if it correlates with the properties of the gas.
WHAT IS RANDOM?
Random is the pattern we assign to experience that we find unpatterned. It
is the pattern where features are considered irrelevant, or in your
statistical terms, where there is a maximal degree of freedom. The reason I
suggest we do pattern 'randomness' is that we simplify it, categorize it and
specifically do not attend to its features. For example, in a random
distribution of gas, we are saying that there is no information to be gained
in studying individual moleculular relationships within the gas (though there
are emergent patterned statistical properties nonetheless -- but this is
another issue). Any given molecule could just as well be elsewhere.
Contrast this with patterned, non-equilibrium gas where hot (more active)
molecules rise. There is knowledge within the pattern.
IS RANDOMNESS OBJECTIVE?
Again, randomness can be considered a low quality pattern, and to the extent
that this model of reality corresponds to reality, it is empirical and
objective. If pattern is later found where none was seen before, obviously
we have progressed to a higher quality intellectual interpretation of
reality. The gas obviously did not change, but our knowledge of the gas did.
Randomness is a low-information pattern that can be considered objective or
empirical.
SUMMARY
A pattern is a model of reality that allows us to turn experience into a
tool. It is essentially a data compression technique. The quality of a
pattern is in its consistency, simplicity, informational content and
agreement with experience. Randomness is a particular pattern with extremely
limited informational quality.
Considering the intended audience, I basically agree with your quote, but in
in MOQese we could rephrase it as follows:
"The difference between the random and non-random viewpoint is one of the
quality. Intellectually, it is of higher quality to identify patterns and to
simplify our model of reality than it is to leave it random and unpatterned,
but only if this corresponds 'objectively' to the features being modeled.
Hence, randomness and pattern can each be considered objective properties of
a model of reality."
Jonathan, let me know if you agree with my new definitions and with the way I
have rephrased (re-patterned) the issue. I have floated a few new memetic
trial balloons that are in need of intellectual feedback. I am not really
even sure I agree completely with what I have written. Your thoughts are
very much appreciated in helping me to grow in my understanding of the issues.
Roger
PS -- Richard and Matthew and others, feel fee to jump in too!
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