Changes

If everything goes according to the pattern I have observed in previous work, the principal facets of analytic and synthetic procedure will each be prefaced by its own distinctive phase of preparatory activity, where the basic materials needed for further investigation are brought together for comparative study.  Taking these initial stages into consideration, I can describe the main modalities of this research in greater detail.

If everything goes according to the pattern I have observed in previous work, the principal facets of analytic and synthetic procedure will each be prefaced by its own distinctive phase of preparatory activity, where the basic materials needed for further investigation are brought together for comparative study.  Taking these initial stages into consideration, I can describe the main modalities of this research in greater detail.

=====1.1.2.1.  The Paradigmatic & Process-Analytic Phase=====

=====1.1.2.1.  The Paradigmatic and Process-Analytic Phase=====

In this phase I describe the performance and competence of intelligent agents in terms of various formal systems.  For aspects of an inquiry process that affect its dynamic or temporal performance I will typically use representations modeled on finite automata and differential systems.  For aspects of an inquiry faculty that reflect its formal or symbolic competence I will commonly use representations like formal grammars, logical calculi, constraint-based axiom systems, and rule-based theories in association with different proof styles.

In this phase I describe the performance and competence of intelligent agents in terms of various formal systems.  For aspects of an inquiry process that affect its dynamic or temporal performance I will typically use representations modeled on finite automata and differential systems.  For aspects of an inquiry faculty that reflect its formal or symbolic competence I will commonly use representations like formal grammars, logical calculi, constraint-based axiom systems, and rule-based theories in association with different proof styles.

# Focus on a problematic phenomenon.  This is a generic property or process that attracts one's interest, like intelligence or inquiry.

# Focus on a problematic phenomenon.  This is a generic property or process that attracts one's interest, like intelligence or inquiry.

# Gather under consideration significant examples of concrete systems or agents that exhibit the property or process in question.

# Gather under consideration significant examples of concrete systems or agents that exhibit the property or process in question.

# Reflect on their common properties in a search for less obvious traits that might explain their more surprising features.

# Reflect on their common properties in a search for less obvious traits that might explain their more surprising features.

# Check these accounts of the phenomenon in one of several ways.  For example, one might (a) search out other systems or situations in nature that manifest the critical traits, or (b) implement the putative traits in computer simulations.  If these hypothesized traits generate (give rise to, provide a basis for) the phenomenon of interest, either in nature or on the computer, then one has reason to consider them further as possible explanations.

# Check these accounts of the phenomenon in one of several ways.  For example, one might (a) search out other systems or situations in nature that manifest the critical traits, or (b) implement the putative traits in computer simulations.  If these hypothesized traits generate (give rise to, provide a basis for) the phenomenon of interest, either in nature or on the computer, then one has reason to consider them further as possible explanations.