[Inquiry] Re: Prospects for Inquiry Driven Systems

[Jon Awbrey]

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PRO.  Note 24

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1.2.1.  Functions of Observation (cont.)

In order to assess the object and the purpose of an information process,
it is necessary to examine and to distinguish from each other a number of
different applications that the common measure of information might receive.

1.  A first employment of the information measure scales the information
    that an object system possesses by virtue of being in a certain state,
    as among the possibilities that can be envisioned by a given observer.

2.  A second use of the information measure grades the information
    that a state in a sign system contributes by way of reducing the
    uncertainty of an interpreter about the state of an object system.

3.  A third use of the measure of information weighs the information
    that a self-informed inquiry driven system can exercise with
    respect to the control of its own state transformations.

These distinctions can be traced back through the concepts of pragmatic philosophy
to a couple of distinctions made by Aristotle in the first textbook of psychology.
In Aristotle's 'Peri Psyche' or 'On the Soul' he discerns in the essential nature
of things the factors of "form" and "matter".  In regard to animate creatures
Aristotle divines that the actuality of their intelligence is found in their
form while it is the potentiality of mind that is embodied in matter.  The
form and actuality of mentality is like the edge of an implement that makes
it effective in its intended purpose.  The formal aspect is an organic shape
impressed upon and infused within the material substrate of life.  The matter
of the mind merely supplies a medium for the potentiality of mental functioning.
Subsequently, Aristotle divides the form of actuality into two senses, exemplified
in turns by the possession and the exercise of knowledge.  Can such distinctions,
devices of ancient pedigree on fields of patent verdigris, bring a significant
bearing to the conduct of modern inquiries in applied AI?  This question is
considered among the topics of (Awbrey & Awbrey, 1990).

Jon Awbrey

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