RE: [unrev-II] Re: Towards an atomic data structure.

From: Gil Regev (gil.regev@epfl.ch)
Date: Fri Apr 28 2000 - 09:02:34 PDT

  • Next message: John J. Deneen: "Re: [unrev-II] Revised Agenda"

    To build on what Jack and Henry have been saying, in Women, Fire, and
    Dangerous Things, Lakoff actually dismantles the myth of objectivism which
    holds that categories are defined by the common properties shared by their
    members. Even color categories that we tend to think of as universal are not
    that standard apparently. One of the objectivism premises that Lakoff
    rejects is quote: Though is atomistic, in that it can be completely broken
    down into simple "building blocks"-the symbols used in thought-which are
    combined into complexes and manipulated by rule.

    About 10 years ago I was exposed to a object oriented methodology called SBM
    for Solution Based Modeling, that attempted to build on this notion that
    people reason in terms of categories which are then supposed to be
    equivalent to classes (in software terms) but classes are defined by the
    common properties of their members and human generated categories are not.
    SBM didn't make it into the mainstream but it does have some very
    interesting points.

    Finally, here's a joke I received today that I think illustrates our debate
    quite well:
    On the question of multiple points of view...

    A lesson in understanding,

    "FOREST GUMP IN HEAVEN..."

    Forrest Gump dies and goes to Heaven. He is met at the Pearly Gates by

    St. Peter himself. The gates are closed, however, and Forrest

    approaches the gatekeeper. St. Peter says "Well, Forrest, it's

    certainly good to see you. We have heard so many good things about

    you. I must inform you that the place is filling up fast, and we've

    been giving an entrance quiz for everyone. The tests are short, but

    you need to pass before you can get into Heaven."

    Forrest responds "It sure is good to be here, St. Peter. I was looking

    forward to this. Nobody ever told me about any entrance exam. Sure hope

    the test ain't too hard; Life was a big enough test as it was."

    St. Peter goes on, "I know, Forrest, but the test is only three

    questions:

    What days of the week begin with the letter T?

    How many seconds are there in a year?

    What is God's first name?"

    Forrest goes away to think the questions over. He returns the next day

    and goes up to St. Peter to try to answer the exam questions. St.Peter

    waves him up and says "Now that you have had a chance to think the

    questions over, tell me your answers".

    Forrest says, "Well, the first one how many days of the week begin with

    the letter "T?"

    Shucks, that one's easy. That'd be Today and Tomorrow."

    The Saint's eyes open wide and he exclaims "Forrest! That's not what I

    was thinking, but.....you do have a point though, and I guess I didn't

    specify, so I will give you credit for that answer. How about the next

    one?"

    How many seconds in a year? Now that one's harder" says Forrest, "but

    I thought and thought about that and I guess the only answer can be

    twelve."

    Astounded, St. Peter says "Twelve! Twelve! Forrest, how in Heaven's

    name could you come up with twelve seconds in a year?"

    Forest says "Aw, come on, St. Peter, there's gotta be twelve, January

    second, February second, March second...."

    Hold it" interrupts St. Peter. "I see where you're going with it. I see

    your point, though that wasn't quite what I had in mind, but I'll give

    you credit for that one too. Let's go on with the next and final

    question. Can you tell me God's first name?"

    Forrest replied, "Andy." When St. Peter asked how in the world he came

    up with the name Andy, Forrest replied, "You know, St. Peter, that

    song we sing in church: "Andy (and He) walks with me, Andy (and He)

    talks with me."

    The lesson: THERE IS ALWAYS ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW, and just because

    another person doesn't see things the same way or understand the same

    way that you do, does not mean that it's wrong.......



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