[Inquiry] Re: Prospects for Inquiry Driven Systems

[Jon Awbrey]

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PRO.  Note 13

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1.1.3.  Reality and Representation (cont.)

An exorbitant number of words has just been wrapped around the
seemingly obvious and seemingly just as innocuous distinction
between a reality and a representation.  Of course, whole books
have been written on the subjects of reality and representation,
though not necessarily in that order (Putnam, 1988).  The topic
is especially debated in the philosophy of science, e.g. (Duhem,
1914), (Russell, 1956), (Van Fraassen, 1980), (Hacking, 1983),
(Salmon, 1990), and various individual essays in (Quine, 1960,
'69, '74, '76, '80, '81).  Much of what is said there about the
relation of theories to realities has a bearing on the relation
of AI representations and cognitive simulation models and to
their underlying realities (Halpern, 1986), (Ginsberg, 1987).
A useful historical perspective on the problem of scientific
knowledge in relation to the ostensibly objective world is
supplied by (Losee, 1980).  The history of an alternative
tradition is treated in (Prasad, 1958).

These questions go back to the beginnings of philosophy.
Plato's dialogue 'The Sophist' is one early inquiry that
has a special relevance, in its substance and method, for
the current context.  There is a certain type of recursive
and paradigmatic character to the strategy of its analysis.
In its quest after the nature of the true philosopher it
proceeds in a manner that strikingly foreshadows modern
debates about the Turing test.  What spirit can winnow
the grain from the chaff, what screen can sift the fine
from the coarse, what threshold can keep the spirit in
the letter?  These may indeed have been our kind's
earliest decision problems.  Modern commentary on
this dialogue and the context of its times may be
found in (Plato/Benardete, 1986), (Kerferd, 1981),
(Rosen, 1983), and (Lanigan, 1986).

Jon Awbrey

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