Changes

Recognizing that the Latin word ''forma'' means not just ''form'' but also ''beauty'' supplies a clue that not all formal models are equally valuable for a purpose of interest.  There is a certain quality of formal elegance, or select character, that is essential to the practical utility of the model.

Recognizing that the Latin word ''forma'' means not just ''form'' but also ''beauty'' supplies a clue that not all formal models are equally valuable for a purpose of interest.  There is a certain quality of formal elegance, or select character, that is essential to the practical utility of the model.

The virtue of a good formal model is to provide discussion with a fitting image of the whole phenomenon of interest.  The aim of formalization is to extract from an informal discussion or locate within a broader inquiry a clearer and simpler image of the whole activity.  If the formalized precis or image is unusually apt it might be prized as a recapitulation or gnomon and said to capture the essence, the gist, of the nub of the whole affair.

The virtue of a good formal model is to provide discussion with a fitting image of the whole phenomenon of interest.  The aim of formalization is to extract from an informal discussion or locate within a broader inquiry a clearer and simpler image of the whole activity.  If the formalized image or ''precis'' is unusually apt then it might be prized as a ''gnomon'' or a recapitulation and be said to capture the essence, the gist, or the nub of the whole affair.

A pragmatic qualification of this virtue requires that the image be formed quickly enough to take decisive action on.  So the quality of being a result often takes precedence over the quality of the result.  A definite result, however partial, is frequently reckoned to be better than having to wait for a complete picture that may never develop.

A pragmatic qualification of this virtue requires that the image be formed quickly enough to take decisive action on it.  So the quality of being a result often takes precedence over the quality of the result.  A definite result, however partial, is frequently reckoned as better than having to wait for a definitive picture that may never develop.

But an overly narrow or premature formalization, where the quality of the original phenomenon is too severely reduced in the formalized image, may result in destroying all interest in the result that does result.

But an overly narrow or premature formalization, where the nature of the phenomenon of interest is too much denatured in the formal image, may result in destroying all interest in the result that does result.

=====1.3.5.12. A Formal Apology=====

=====1.3.5.12. A Formal Apology=====