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==Fragmata==
 
==Fragmata==
   −
# http://www.cspeirce.com/menu/library/aboutcsp/awbrey/inquiry.htm
+
{| cellpadding="4"
−
# http://forum.wolframscience.com/showthread.php?threadid=649
+
| [http://www.cspeirce.com/menu/library/aboutcsp/awbrey/inquiry.htm Arisbe Site, "Inquiry Driven Systems", 04 Jul 2000]
−
# http://forum.wolframscience.com/printthread.php?threadid=649
+
| IDS 1 – 1.3.4.19, 30 Jun 2000, Draft 8.2
 +
|-
 +
| [http://suo.ieee.org/email/thrd125.html#07409 SUO List, "Critique Of Non-Functional Reason", 27 Nov 2001]
 +
| IDS 1.3.10.3, 27 Nov 2001, Draft 8.63
 +
|-
 +
| [http://suo.ieee.org/email/thrd125.html#07455 SUO List, "Critique Of Non-Functional Reason", 29 Nov 2001]
 +
| IDS 1.3.10.4, 28 Nov 2001, Draft 8.64
 +
|-
 +
| [http://suo.ieee.org/ontology/thrd39.html#03473 Ontology List, "Critique Of Non-Functional Reason", 05 Dec 2001]
 +
| IDS 1.3.10, 01 Dec 2001, Draft 8.65
 +
|-
 +
| [http://stderr.org/pipermail/arisbe/2002-January/thread.html#1247 Arisbe List, "Inquiry Driven Systems", 05 Jan 2002]
 +
| IDS, Drafts 8.69 – 8.70
 +
|-
 +
| [http://suo.ieee.org/ontology/thrd25.html#04226 Ontology List, "Pragmatic Maxim", 10 Jun 2002]
 +
| IDS 3.3, 24 Apr 2002, Draft 8.73
 +
|-
 +
| [http://suo.ieee.org/ontology/thrd25.html#04242 Ontology List, "All Ways Lead to Inquiry", 13 Jun 2002]
 +
| IDS 1.4, 10 Jun 2002, Draft 8.75
 +
|-
 +
| [http://suo.ieee.org/ontology/thrd25.html#04264 Ontology List, "Priorisms of Normative Sciences", 20 Jun 2002]
 +
| IDS 3.2.8, 10 Jun 2002, Draft 8.75
 +
|-
 +
| [http://suo.ieee.org/ontology/thrd25.html#04266 Ontology List, "Principle of Rational Action", 20 Jun 2002]
 +
| IDS 3.2.9, 10 Jun 2002, Draft 8.75
 +
|-
 +
| [http://stderr.org/pipermail/inquiry/2004-April/thread.html#1328 Inquiry List, "Reflective Inquiry", 13 Apr 2004]
 +
| IDS 3.2
 +
|-
 +
| [http://stderr.org/pipermail/inquiry/2004-November/thread.html#1996 Inquiry List, "Higher Order Signs", 24 Nov 2004]
 +
| IDS 3.4.9 – 3.4.10
 +
|-
 +
| [http://forum.wolframscience.com/showthread.php?threadid=629 NKS Forum, "Higher Order Signs", 24 Nov 2004]
 +
| IDS 3.4.9 – 3.4.10
 +
|-
 +
| [http://forum.wolframscience.com/archive/topic/629-1.html NKS Archive, "Higher Order Signs", 24 Nov 2004]
 +
| IDS 3.4.9 – 3.4.10
 +
|-
 +
| [http://forum.wolframscience.com/printthread.php?threadid=629 NKS Printable, "Higher Order Signs", 24 Nov 2004]
 +
| IDS 3.4.9 – 3.4.10
 +
|-
 +
| [http://stderr.org/pipermail/inquiry/2004-December/thread.html#2171 Inquiry List, "Recurring Themes", 17 Dec 2004]
 +
| IDS 1.3.10.3 – 1.3.10.7, 16 Dec 2001
 +
|-
 +
| [http://forum.wolframscience.com/showthread.php?threadid=654 NKS Forum, "Recurring Themes", 17 Dec 2004]
 +
| IDS 1.3.10.3 – 1.3.10.7, 16 Dec 2001
 +
|-
 +
| [http://forum.wolframscience.com/archive/topic/654-1.html NKS Archive, "Recurring Themes", 17 Dec 2004]
 +
| IDS 1.3.10.3 – 1.3.10.7, 16 Dec 2001
 +
|-
 +
| [http://forum.wolframscience.com/printthread.php?threadid=654 NKS Printable, "Recurring Themes", 17 Dec 2004]
 +
| IDS 1.3.10.3 – 1.3.10.7, 16 Dec 2001
 +
|-
 +
| [http://stderr.org/pipermail/inquiry/2004-December/thread.html#2135 Inquiry List, "Language Of Cacti", 13 Dec 2004]
 +
| IDS 1.3.10.8 – 1.3.10.13, 06 Jan 2002
 +
|-
 +
| [http://forum.wolframscience.com/showthread.php?threadid=649 NKS Forum, "Language Of Cacti", 13 Dec 2004]
 +
| IDS 1.3.10.8 – 1.3.10.13, 06 Jan 2002
 +
|-
 +
| [http://forum.wolframscience.com/archive/topic/649-1.html NKS Archive, "Language Of Cacti", 13 Dec 2004]
 +
| IDS 1.3.10.8 – 1.3.10.13, 06 Jan 2002
 +
|-
 +
| [http://forum.wolframscience.com/printthread.php?threadid=649 NKS Printable, "Language Of Cacti", 13 Dec 2004]
 +
| IDS 1.3.10.8 – 1.3.10.13, 06 Jan 2002
 +
|}
    
==Symbol Sandbox==
 
==Symbol Sandbox==
Line 62: Line 126:  
: Furthermore, someone from New York City visited the page today, via a #1 search result on Yahoo! for [http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=system%20inquiry%20examples&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8 system inquiry examples].  Congratulations, again! — [[User:MyWikiBiz|MyWikiBiz]] 06:29, 23 October 2008 (PDT)
 
: Furthermore, someone from New York City visited the page today, via a #1 search result on Yahoo! for [http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=system%20inquiry%20examples&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8 system inquiry examples].  Congratulations, again! — [[User:MyWikiBiz|MyWikiBiz]] 06:29, 23 October 2008 (PDT)
   −
==Propositions and Sentences==
+
==Propositions And Sentences : Residual Remarks==
 +
 
 +
Where are we?  We just defined the concept of a functional fiber in several of the most excruciating ways possible, but that's just because this method of refining functional fibers is intended partly for machine consumputation, so its schemata must be rendered free of all admixture of animate intuition.  However, just between us, a single picture may suffice to sum up the notion:
 +
 
 +
<pre>
 +
|  X-[| f |] ,  [| f |]  c  X
 +
|  o      o  o  o  o      |
 +
|    \    /    \  |  /      |
 +
|    \  /      \ | /        | f
 +
|      \ /        \|/        |
 +
|      o          o          v
 +
|  {  %0%    ,    %1%  }  =  %B%
 +
</pre>
 +
 
 +
Why are we doing this?  The immediate reason &mdash; whose critique I defer &mdash; has to do with finding a ''modus vivendi'', whether a working compromise or a genuine integration, between the assertive-declarative languages and the functional-procedural languages that we have available for the sake of conceptual-logical-ontological analysis, clarification, description, inference, problem-solving, programming, representation, or whatever.
 +
 
 +
In the next few installments, I will be working toward the definition of an operation called the ''stretch''.  This is related to the concept from category theory that is called a ''pullback''.  As a few will know the uses of that already, maybe there's hope of stretching the number.
 +
 
 +
<pre>
 +
Where are we?  We just defined the concept of a functional fiber in several
 +
of the most excruciating ways possible, but that's just because this method
 +
of refining functional fibers is intended partly for machine consumputation,
 +
so its schemata must be rendered free of all admixture of animate intuition.
 +
However, just between us, a single picture may suffice to sum up the notion:
 +
 
 +
o-------------------------------------------------o
 +
| ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` ` ` X-[| f |] , `[| f |]` ` `c` ` X ` ` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` ` ` o ` ` ` o ` o ` o ` o ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` ` ` `\` ` `/` ` `\` | `/` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` ` ` ` \ ` / ` ` ` \ | / ` ` ` ` ` | f ` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` ` ` ` `\`/` ` ` ` `\|/` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` ` ` ` ` o ` ` ` ` ` o ` ` ` ` ` ` v ` ` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` ` ` { `%0%` ` , ` `%1%` } ` `=` `%B%` ` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` |
 +
o-------------------------------------------------o
 +
 
 +
Why are we doing this?  The immediate reason -- whose critique I defer --
 +
has to do with finding a modus vivendi, whether a working compromise or
 +
a genuine integration, between the assertive-declarative languages and
 +
the functional-procedural languages that we have available for the sake
 +
of conceptual-logical-ontological analysis, clarification, description,
 +
inference, problem-solving, programming, representation, or whatever.
 +
 
 +
In the next few installments, I will be working toward the definition
 +
of an operation called the "stretch".  This is related to the concept
 +
from category theory that is called a "pullback".  As a few will know
 +
the uses of that already, maybe there's hope of stretching the number.
 +
</pre>
 +
 
 +
==Empirical Types and Rational Types==
    
<pre>
 
<pre>
−
For sentences, the signs of equality ("=") and inequality ("=/=") are reserved to signify the syntactic identity and non-identity, respectively, of the literal strings of characters that make up the sentences in question, while the signs of equivalence ("<=>") and inequivalence ("<=/=>") refer to the logical values, if any, of these strings, and serve to signify the equality and inequality, respectively, of their conceivable boolean values.  For the logical values themselves, the two pairs of symbols collapse in their senses to a single pair, signifying a single form of coincidence or a single form of distinction, respectively, between the boolean values of the entities involved.
+
o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o
   −
In logical studies, one tends to be interested in all of the operations or all of the functions of a given type, at least, to the extent that their totalities and their individualities can be comprehended, and not just the specialized collections that define particular algebraic structures.
+
IDS -- RT
   −
Although the rest of the conceivably possible dyadic operations on boolean values, in other words, the remainder of the sixteen functions f : %B% x %B% -> %B%, could be presented in the same way as the multiplication and addition tables, it is better to look for a more efficient style of representation, one that is able to express all of the boolean functions on the same number of variables on a roughly equal basis, and with a bit of luck, affords us with a calculus for computing with these functions.
+
o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o
   −
The utility of a suitable calculus would involve, among other things:
+
RT.  Recurring Themes
   −
1.  Finding the values of given functions for given arguments.
+
o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o
−
2.  Inverting boolean functions, that is, "finding the fibers" of boolean functions, or solving logical equations that are expressed in terms of boolean functions.
  −
3.  Facilitating the recognition of invariant forms that take boolean functions as their functional components.
     −
The whole point of formal logic, the reason for doing logic formally and the measure that determines how far it is possible to reason abstractly, is to discover functions that do not vary as much as their variables do, in other words, to identify forms of logical functions that, though they express a dependence on the values of their constituent arguments, do not vary as much as possible, but approach the way of being a function that constant functions enjoy. Thus, the recognition of a logical law amounts to identifying a logical function, that, though it ostensibly depends on the values of its putative arguments, is not as variable in its values as the values of its variables are allowed to be.
+
Resource:  Inquiry Driven Systems:  An Inquiry Into Inquiry
 +
Creation:  23 Jun 1996
 +
Revision:  16 Dec 2001
 +
Location:  http://members.door.net/arisbe/menu/library/aboutcsp/awbrey/inquiry.htm
   −
The "indicator function" or the "characteristic function" of a set Q c X, written "f_Q", is the map from X to the boolean domain %B% = {%0%, %1%} that is defined in the following ways:
+
Outline of Excerpt
   −
1.  Considered in extensional form, f_Q is the subset of X x %B% that is given by the following formula:
+
1.3.10.3.  Propositions and Sentences
 +
1.3.10.4.  Empirical Types and Rational Types
 +
1.3.10.5.  Articulate Sentences
 +
1.3.10.6.  Stretching Principles
 +
1.3.10.7.  Stretching Operations
   −
    f_Q  =  {<x, b> in X x %B%  :  b = %1%  <=>  x in Q}.
+
o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o
   −
2.  Considered in functional form, f_Q is the map from X to %B% that is given by the following condition:
+
RT.  Note 8
   −
    f_Q (x) = %1%  <=>  x in Q.
+
o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o
   −
A "proposition about things in the universe", for short, a "proposition", is the same thing as an indicator function, that is, a function of the form f : X -> %B%.  The convenience of this seemingly redundant usage is that it allows one to refer to an indicator function without having to specify right away, as a part of its designated subscript, exactly what set it indicates, even though a proposition always indicates some subset of its designated universe, and even though one will probably or eventually want to know exactly what subset that is.
+
1.3.10.4.  Empirical Types and Rational Types
   −
According to the stated understandings, a proposition is a function that indicates a set, in the sense that a function associates values with the elements of a domain, some of which values can be interpreted to mark out for special consideration a subset of that domain.  The way in which an indicator function is imagined to "indicate" a set can be expressed in terms of the following concepts.
+
I make a brief detour to explain what are likely to be
 +
the unfamiliar features of my definition of a sentence.
   −
The "fiber" of a codomain element y in Y under a function f : X -> Y is the subset of the domain X that is mapped onto y, in short, it is f^(-1)(y) c X.  In other language that is often used, the fiber of y under f is called the "antecedent set", the "inverse image", the "level set", or the "pre-image" of y under f.  All of these equivalent concepts are defined as follows:
+
In this Subsection, I want to examine the style of definition that I used
−
Fiber of y under f  =  f^(-1)(y)  =  {x in X  :  f(x) = y}.
+
to define a sentence as a type of sign, to adapt its application to other
 +
problems of defining types, and to draw a lesson of general significance.
   −
In the special case where f is the indicator function f_Q of the set Q c X, the fiber of 1 under fQ is just the set Q back again:
+
Notice that I am defining a sentence in terms of what it denotes, and not
 +
in terms of its structure as a sign.  In this way of reckoning, a sign is
 +
not a sentence on account of any property that it has in itself, but only
 +
due to the sign relation that actually works to interpret it.  This makes
 +
the property of being a sentence a question of actualities and contingent
 +
relations, not merely a question of potentialities and absolute categories.
 +
This does nothing to alter the level of interest that one is bound to have
 +
in the structures of signs, it merely shifts the axis of the question from
 +
the logical plane of definition to the pragmatic plane of effective action.
 +
As a practical matter, of course, some signs are better for a given purpose
 +
than others, more conducive to a particular result than others, and turn out
 +
to be more effective in achieving an assigned objective than others, and the
 +
reasons for this are at least partly explained by the relationships that can
 +
be found to exist among a sign's structure, its object, and the sign relation
 +
that fits the sign and its object to each other.
   −
Fiber of 1 under fQ = fQ-1(1)  =  {x in X : fQ(x) = 1}  =  Q.
+
Notice the general character of this development. I start by
 +
defining a type of sign according to the type of object that it
 +
happens to denote, ignoring at first the structural potential that
 +
it brings to the task. According to this mode of definition, a type
 +
of sign is singled out from other signs in terms of the type of object
 +
that it actually denotes and not according to the type of object that it
 +
is designed or destined to denote, nor in terms of the type of structure
 +
that it possesses in itself. This puts the empirical categories, the
 +
classes based on actualities, at odds with the rational categories,
 +
the classes based on intentionalities. In hopes that this much
 +
explanation is enough to rationalize the account of types that
 +
I am using, I break off the digression at this point and
 +
return to the main discussion.
   −
In this specifically boolean setting, as in the more generally logical context, where "truth" under any name is especially valued, it is worth devoting a specialized notation to the "fiber of truth" in a proposition, to mark the set that it indicates with a particular ease and explicitness.
+
o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o
   −
For this purpose, I introduce the use of "fiber bars" or "ground signs", written as "[| ... |]" around a sentence or the sign of a proposition, and whose application is defined as follows:
+
RT. Note 9
   −
If  f : X -> %B%,
+
o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o
   −
then  [| f |]  =  f^(-1)(%1%)  =  {x in X  : f(x) = %1%}.
+
1.3.10.5. Articulate Sentences
   −
----
+
A sentence is called "articulate" if:
   −
Some may recognize here fledgling efforts
+
  1. It has a significant form, a compound construction,
−
to reinforce flights of Fregean semantics
+
      a multi-part constitution, a well-developed composition,
−
with impish pitches of Peircean semiotics.
+
      or a non-trivial structure as a sign.
−
Some may deem it Icarean, all too Icarean.
     −
1.3.10.3 Propositions & Sentences (cont.)
+
  2.  There is an informative relationship that exists
 +
      between its structure as a sign and the content
 +
      of the proposition that it happens to denote.
   −
The definition of a fiber, in either the general or the boolean case,
+
A sentence of the articulate kind is typically given in the form of
−
is a purely nominal convenience for referring to the antecedent subset,
+
a "description", an "expression", or a "formula", in other words, as
−
the inverse image under a function, or the pre-image of a functional value.
+
an articulated sign or a well-structured element of a formal language.
−
The definition of an operator on propositions, signified by framing the signs
+
As a general rule, the category of sentences that one will be willing to
−
of propositions with fiber bars or ground signs, remains a purely notational
+
contemplate is compiled from a particular selection of complex signs and
−
device, and yet the notion of a fiber in a logical context serves to raise
+
syntactic strings, those that are assembled from the basic building blocks
−
an interesting point.  By way of illustration, it is legitimate to rewrite
+
of a formal language and held in especial esteem for the roles that they
−
the above definition in the following form:
+
play within its grammar.  Still, even if the typical sentence is a sign
 +
that is generated by a formal regimen, having its form, its meaning,
 +
and its use governed by the principles of a comprehensive grammar,
 +
the class of sentences that one has a mind to contemplate can also
 +
include among its number many other signs of an arbitrary nature.
   −
If f : X -> %B%,
+
Frequently this "formula" has a "variable" in it that "ranges over" the
 +
universe X. A "variable" is an ambiguous or equivocal sign that can be
 +
interpreted as denoting any element of the set that it "ranges over".
   −
then  [| f |]  =  f^(-1)(%1%)  =  {x in X :  f(x)}.
+
If a sentence denotes a proposition f : X -> %B%, then the "value" of the
 +
sentence with regard to x in X is the value f(x) of the proposition at x,
 +
where "%0%" is interpreted as "false" and "%1%" is interpreted as "true".
   −
The set-builder frame "{x in X  :  ... }" requires a grammatical sentence or
+
Since the value of a sentence or a proposition depends on the universe of discourse
−
a sentential clause to fill in the blank, as with the sentence "f(x) = %1%"
+
to which it is "referred", and since it also depends on the element of the universe
−
that serves to fill the frame in the initial definition of a logical fiber.
+
with regard to which it is evaluated, it is conventional to say that a sentence or
−
And what is a sentence but the expression of a proposition, in other words,
+
a proposition "refers" to a universe of discourse and to its elements, though often
−
the name of an indicator function?  As it happens, the sign "f(x)" and the
+
in a variety  of different senses.  Furthermore, a proposition, acting in the guise
−
sentence "f(x) = %1%" represent the very same value to this context, for
+
of an indicator function, "refers" to the elements that it "indicates", namely, the
−
all x in X, that is, they will appear equal in their truth or falsity
+
elements on which it takes a positive value.  In order to sort out the potential
−
to any reasonable interpreter of signs or sentences in this context,
+
confusions that are capable of arising here, I need to examine how these various
−
and so either one of them can be tendered for the other, in effect,
+
notions of reference are related to the notion of denotation that is used in the
−
exchanged for the other, within this context, frame, and reception.
+
pragmatic theory of sign relations.
   −
The sign "f(x)" manifestly names the value f(x).
+
One way to resolve the various and sundry senses of "reference" that arise
−
This is a value that can be seen in many lights.
+
in this setting is to make the following brands of distinctions among them:
−
It is, at turns:
     −
1.  The value that the proposition f has at the point x,
+
  1.  Let the reference of a sentence or a proposition to a universe of discourse,
−
    in other words, the value that f bears at the point x
+
      the one that it acquires by way of taking on any interpretation at all, be
−
    where f is being evaluated, the value that f takes on
+
      taken as its "general reference", the kind of reference that one can safely
−
    with respect to the argument or the object x that the
+
      ignore as irrelevant, at least, so long as one stays immersed in only one
−
    whole proposition is taken to be about.
+
      context of discourse or only one moment of discussion.
   −
2.  The value that the proposition f not only takes up at
+
  2.  Let the references that an indicator function f has to the elements
−
    the point x, but that it carries, conveys, transfers,
+
      on which it evaluates to %0% be called its "negative references".
−
    or transports into the setting "{x in X  :  ... }" or
  −
    into any other context of discourse where f is meant
  −
    to be evaluated.
     −
3.  The value that the sign "f(x)" has in the context where it is placed,
+
  3.  Let the references that an indicator function f has to the elements
−
    that it stands for in the context where it stands, and that it continues
+
      on which it evaluates to %1% be called its "positive references"
−
    to stand for in this context just so long as the same proposition f and the
+
      or its "indications".
−
    same object x are borne in mind.
     −
4.  The value that the sign "f(x)" represents to its full interpretive context
+
Finally, unspecified references to the "references" of a sentence,
−
    as being its own logical interpretant, namely, the value that it signifies
+
a proposition, or an indicator function can be taken by default
−
    as its canonical connotation to any interpreter of the sign that is cognizant
+
as references to their specific, positive references.
−
    of the context in which it appears.
     −
The sentence "f(x) = %1%" indirectly names what the sign "f(x)"
+
o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o
−
more directly names, that is, the value f(x).  In other words,
  −
the sentence "f(x) = %1%" has the same value to its interpretive
  −
context that the sign "f(x)" imparts to any comparable context,
  −
each by way of its respective evaluation for the same x in X.
     −
What is the relation among connoting, denoting, and "evaluing", where
+
RT. Note 10
−
the last term is coined to describe all the ways of bearing, conveying,
  −
developing, or evolving a value in, to, or into an interpretive context?
  −
In other words, when a sign is evaluated to a particular value, one can
  −
say that the sign "evalues" that value, using the verb in a way that is
  −
categorically analogous or grammatically conjugate to the times when one
  −
says that a sign "connotes" an idea or that a sign "denotes" an object.
  −
This does little more than provide the discussion with a "weasel word",
  −
a term that is designed to avoid the main issue, to put off deciding the
  −
exact relation between formal signs and formal values, and ultimately to
  −
finesse the question about the nature of formal values, whether they are
  −
more akin to conceptual signs and figurative ideas or to the kinds of
  −
literal objects and platonic ideas that are independent of the mind.
     −
These questions are confounded by the presence of certain peculiarities in
+
o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o
−
formal discussions, especially by the fact that an equivalence class of signs
  −
is tantamount to a formal object.  This has the effect of allowing an abstract
  −
connotation to work as a formal denotation.  In other words, if the purpose of
  −
a sign is merely to lead its interpreter up to a sign in an equivalence class
  −
of signs, then it follows that this equivalence class is the object of the
  −
sign, that connotation can achieve denotation, at least, to some degree,
  −
and that the interpretant domain collapses with the object domain,
  −
at least, in some respect, all things being relative to the
  −
sign relation that embeds the discussion.
     −
Introducing the realm of "values" is a stopgap measure that temporarily
+
1.3.10.5.  Articulate Sentences (concl.)
−
permits the discussion to avoid certain singularities in the embedding
  −
sign relation, and allowing the process of "evaluation" as a compromise
  −
mode of signification between connotation and denotation only manages to
  −
steer around a topic that eventually has to be mapped in full, but these
  −
strategies do allow the discussion to proceed a little further without
  −
having to answer questions that are too difficult to be settled fully
  −
or even tackled directly at this point.  As far as the relations among
  −
connoting, denoting, and evaluing are concerned, it is possible that
  −
all of these constitute independent dimensions of significance that
  −
a sign might be able to enjoy, but since the notion of connotation
  −
is already generic enough to contain multitudes of subspecies, I am
  −
going to subsume, on a tentative basis, all of the conceivable modes
  −
of "evaluing" within the broader concept of connotation.
     −
With this degree of flexibility in mind, one can say that the sentence
+
I conclude my pragmatic semiotic treatment of the relation between
−
"f(x) = %1%" latently connotes what the sign "f(x)" patently connotes.
+
a sentence (a logical sign) and a proposition (a logical object).
−
Taken in abstraction, both syntactic entities fall into an equivalence
  −
class of signs that constitutes an abstract object, a thing of value
  −
that is "identified by" the sign "f(x)", and thus an object that might
  −
as well be "identified with" the value f(x).
     −
The upshot of this whole discussion of evaluation is that it allows one to
+
The universe of discourse for a sentence, the set whose elements the
−
rewrite the definitions of indicator functions and their fibers as follows:
+
sentence is interpreted to be about, is not a property of the sentence
 +
by itself, but of the sentence in the presence of its interpretation.
 +
Independently of how many explicit variables a sentence contains, its
 +
value can always be interpreted as depending on any number of implicit
 +
variables.  For instance, even a sentence with no explicit variable,
 +
a constant expression like "%0%" or "%1%", can be taken to denote
 +
a constant proposition of the form c : X -> %B%.  Whether or not it
 +
has an explicit variable, I always take a sentence as referring to
 +
a proposition, one whose values refer to elements of a universe X.
   −
The "indicator function" or the "characteristic function" of a set Q c X,
+
Notice that the letters "p" and "q", interpreted as signs that denote
−
written "f_Q", is the map from X to the boolean domain %B% = {%0%, %1%}
+
the indicator functions p, q : X -> %B%, have the character of sentences
−
that is defined in the following ways:
+
in relation to propositions, at least, they have the same status in this
 +
abstract discussion as genuine sentences have in concrete applications.
 +
This illustrates the relation between sentences and propositions as
 +
a special case of the relation between signs and objects.
   −
1.  Considered in its extensional form, f_Q is the subset of X x %B%
+
To assist the reading of informal examples, I frequently use the letters
−
    that is given by the following formula:
+
"t", "u", "v", "z" to denote sentences.  Thus, it is conceivable to have
 +
a situation where z = "q" and where q : X -> %B%.  Altogether, this means
 +
that the sign "z" denotes the sentence z, that the sentence z is the same
 +
thing as the sentence "q", and that the sentence "q" denotes the proposition,
 +
characteristic function, or indicator function q : X -> %B%.  In settings where
 +
it is necessary to keep track of a large number of sentences, I use subscripted
 +
letters like "e_1", ..., "e_n" to refer to the various expressions in question.
   −
    f_Q  =  {<x, b> in X x %B% : b  <=>  x in Q}.
+
A "sentential connective" is a sign, a coordinated sequence of signs,
 +
a syntactic pattern of contextual arrangement, or any other syntactic
 +
device that can be used to connect a number of sentences together in
 +
order to form a single sentence. If k is the number of sentences that
 +
are thereby connected, then the connective is said to be of "order k".
 +
If the sentences acquire a logical relationship through this mechanism,
 +
and are not just strung together by this device, then the connective
 +
is called a "logical connective". If the value of the constructed
 +
sentence depends on the values of the component sentences in such
 +
a way that the value of the whole is a boolean function of the
 +
values of the parts, then the connective earns the title of
 +
a "propositional connective".
   −
2.  Considered in its functional form, f_Q is the map from X to %B%
+
o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o
−
    that is given by the following condition:
     −
    f_Q (x) <=>  x in Q.
+
RT. Note 11
   −
The "fibers" of truth and falsity under a proposition f : X -> %B%
+
o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o
−
are subsets of X that are variously described as follows:
     −
1.  The fiber of %1% under f  =  [| f |]  =  f^(-1)(%1%)
+
1.3.10.6.  Stretching Principles
   −
                              =  {x in X  : f(x) = %1%}
+
We are in the home stretch of what I promised to bring home this time around.
 +
Let me set up the play by bringing back to mind a deuce of basic definitions
 +
from earlier in the game:
   −
                              = {x in X :  f(x) }.
+
A "boolean connection" of degree k, also known as a "boolean function"
 +
on k variables, is a map of the form F : %B%^k -> %B%. In other words,
 +
a boolean connection of degree k is a proposition about things in the
 +
universe of discourse X = %B%^k.
   −
2.  The fiber of %0% under f  =  ~[| f |]  = f^(-1)(%0%)
+
An "imagination" of degree k on X is a k-tuple of propositions about things
 +
in the universe X.  By way of displaying the various brands of notation that
 +
are used to express this idea, the imagination #f# = <f_1, ..., f_k> is given
 +
as a sequence of indicator functions f_j : X -> %B%, for j = 1 to k. All of
 +
these features of the typical imagination #f# can be summed up in either one
 +
of two ways: either in the form of a membership statement, to the effect that
 +
#f# is in (X -> %B%)^k, or in the form of a type statement, to the effect that
 +
#f# : (X -> %B%)^k, though perhaps the latter form is slightly more precise than
 +
the former.
   −
                              =  {x in X :  f(x) = %0%}
+
The purpose of this exercise is to illuminate how a sentence,
 +
a sign constituted as a string of characters, can be enfused
 +
with a proposition, an object of no slight abstraction, in a
 +
way that can speak about an external universe of discourse X.
   −
                              =  {x in X  :  (f(x)) }.
+
o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o
   −
Perhaps this looks like a lot of work for the sake of what seems to be
+
RT.  Note 12
−
such a trivial form of syntactic transformation, but it is an important
  −
step in loosening up the syntactic privileges that are held by the sign
  −
of logical equivalence "<=>", as written between logical sentences, and
  −
by the sign of equality "=", as written between their logical values, or
  −
else between propositions and their boolean values.  Doing this removes
  −
a longstanding but wholly unnecessary conceptual confound between the
  −
idea of an "assertion" and notion of an "equation", and it allows one
  −
to treat logical equality on a par with the other logical operations.
     −
----
+
o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o
   −
Where are we? We just defined the concept of a functional fiber in several
+
1.3.10.6. Stretching Principles (cont.)
−
of the most excruciating ways possible, but that's just because this method
  −
of refining functional fibers is intended partly for machine consumputation,
  −
so its schemata must be rendered free of all admixture of animate intuition.
  −
However, just between us, a single picture may suffice to sum up the notion:
     −
|  X-[| f |] , [| f |]  c  X
+
There is a principle, of constant use in this work, that needs to be made explicit.
−
|  o      o  o  o  o      |
+
In order to give it a name, I refer to this idea as the "stretching principle".
−
|    \    /    \  |  /      |
+
Expressed in different ways, it says that:
−
|    \  /      \ | /        | f
  −
|      \ /        \|/        |
  −
|      o          o          v
  −
|  {  %0%    ,   %1%  }  =  %B%
     −
For the sake of current reference:
+
  1.  Any relation of values extends to a relation of what is valued.
   −
| The "fibers" of truth and falsity in a proposition f : X -> %B%
+
  2.  Any statement about values says something about the things
−
| are the subsets [| f |] and X - [| f |] of X that are variously
+
      that are given these values.
−
| described as follows:
  −
|
  −
| The fiber of %1% under f
  −
|
  −
| =  [| f |]  =  f^(-1)(%1%)
  −
|
  −
| =  {x in X  :  f(x) = %1%}
  −
|
  −
| =  {x in X  :  f(x) }.
  −
|
  −
| The fiber of %0% under f
  −
|
  −
| =  ~[| f |]  =  f^(-1)(%0%)
  −
|
  −
| =  {x in X  :  f(x) = %0%}
  −
|
  −
| =  {x in X  :  (f(x)) }.
     −
Oh, by the way, the outer parentheses in "(f(g))" signify negation.
+
  3. Any association among a range of values establishes
−
I did not have here the "stricken parentheses" that I normally use.
+
      an association among the domains of things
 +
      that these values are the values of.
   −
Why are we doing this? The immediate reason -- whose critique I defer --
+
  4. Any connection between two values can be stretched to create a connection,
−
has to do with finding a modus vivendi, whether a working compromise or
+
      of analogous form, between the objects, persons, qualities, or relationships
−
a genuine integration, between the assertive-declarative languages and
+
      that are valued in these connections.
−
the functional-procedural languages that we have available for the sake
  −
of conceptual-logical-ontological analysis, clarification, description,
  −
inference, problem-solving, programming, representation, or whatever.
     −
In the next few installments, I will be working toward the definition
+
  5.  For every operation on values, there is a corresponding operation on the actions,
−
of an operation called the "stretch".  This is related to the concept
+
      conducts, functions, procedures, or processes that lead to these values, as well
−
from category theory that is called a "pullback".  As a few will know
+
      as there being analogous operations on the objects that instigate all of these
−
the uses of that already, maybe there's hope of stretching the number.
+
      various proceedings.
   −
----
+
Nothing about the application of the stretching principle guarantees that
 +
the analogues it generates will be as useful as the material it works on.
 +
It is another question entirely whether the links that are forged in this
 +
fashion are equal in their strength and apposite in their bearing to the
 +
tried and true utilities of the original ties, but in principle they
 +
are always there.
   −
In this episode, I compile a collection of definitions,
+
In particular, a connection F : %B%^k -> %B% can be understood to
−
leading up to the particular conception of a "sentence"
+
indicate a relation among boolean values, namely, the k-ary relation
−
that I'll be using throughout the rest of this inquiry.
+
L = F^(-1)(%1%) c %B%^k.  If these k values are values of things in a
 +
universe X, that is, if one imagines each value in a k-tuple of values
 +
to be the functional image that results from evaluating an element of X
 +
under one of its possible aspects of value, then one has in mind the
 +
k propositions f_j : X -> %B%, for j = 1 to k, in sum, one embodies
 +
the imagination #f# = <f_1, ..., f_k>.  Together, the imagination
 +
#f# in (X -> %B%)^k and the connection F : %B%^k -> %B% stretch
 +
each other to cover the universe X, yielding a new proposition
 +
q : X -> %B%.
   −
1.3.10.3  Propositions & Sentences (cont.)
+
To encapsulate the form of this general result, I define a scheme of composition
 +
that takes an imagination #f# = <f_1, ..., f_k> in (X -> %B%)^k and a boolean
 +
connection F : %B%^k -> %B% and gives a proposition q : X -> %B%. Depending
 +
on the situation, specifically, according to whether many F and many #f#,
 +
a single F and many #f#, or many F and a single #f# are being considered,
 +
I refer to the resultant q under one of three descriptions, respectively:
   −
As a purely informal aid to interpretation, I frequently use the letters
+
  1.  In a general setting, where the connection F and the imagination #f#
−
"p", "q" to denote propositions.  This can serve to tip off the reader
+
      are both permitted to take up a variety of concrete possibilities,
−
that a function is intended as the indicator function of a set, and
+
      call q the "stretch of F and #f# from X to %B%", and write it in
−
it saves us the trouble of declaring the type f : X -> %B% each
+
      the style of a composition as "F $ #f#".  This is meant to suggest
−
time that a function is introduced as a proposition.
+
      that the symbol "$", here read as "stretch", denotes an operator
 +
      of the form $ : (%B%^k -> %B%) x (X -> %B%)^k -> (X -> %B%).
   −
Another convention of use in this context is to let boldface letters
+
  2.  In a setting where the connection F is fixed but the imagination #f#
−
stand for k-tuples, lists, or sequences of objects.  Typically, the
+
      is allowed to vary over a wide range of possibilities, call q the
−
elements of the k-tuple, list, or sequence are all of one type, and
+
      "stretch of F to #f# on X", and write it in the style "F^$ #f#",
−
typically the boldface letter is of the same basic character as the
+
      as if "F^$" denotes an operator F^$ : (X -> %B%)^k -> (X -> %B%)
−
indexed or subscripted letters that are used denote the components
+
      that is derived from F and applied to #f#, ultimately yielding
−
of the k-tuple, list, or sequence.  When the dimension of elements
+
      a proposition F^$ #f# : X -> %B%.
−
and functions is clear from the context, we may elect to drop the
  −
bolding of characters that name k-tuples, lists, and sequences.
     −
For example:
+
  3.  In a setting where the imagination #f# is fixed but the connection F
 +
      is allowed to range over a wide variety of possibilities, call q the
 +
      "stretch of #f# by F to %B%", and write it in the fashion "#f#^$ F",
 +
      as if "#f#^$" denotes an operator #f#^$ : (%B%^k -> %B%) -> (X -> %B%)
 +
      that is derived from #f# and applied to F, ultimately yielding
 +
      a proposition #f#^$ F : X -> %B%.
   −
1.  If x_1, ..., x_k in X,      then #x# = <x_1, ..., x_k> in X' = X^k.
+
Because the stretch notation is used only in settings
 +
where the imagination #f# : (X -> %B%)^k and the
 +
connection F : %B%^k -> %B% are distinguished
 +
by their types, it does not really matter
 +
whether one writes "F $ #f#" or "#f# $ F"
 +
for the initial form of composition.
   −
2.  If x_1, ..., x_k  : X,      then #x# = <x_1, ..., x_k>  : X' = X^k.
+
o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o
   −
3.  If f_1, ..., f_k  : X -> Y,  then #f# = <f_1, ..., f_k>  : (X -> Y)^k.
+
RT.  Note 13
   −
There is usually felt to be a slight but significant distinction between
+
o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o
−
the "membership statement" that uses the sign "in" as in Example (1) and
  −
the "type statement" that uses the sign ":" as in examples (2) and (3).
  −
The difference that appears to be perceived in categorical statements,
  −
when those of the form "x in X" and those of the form "x : X" are set
  −
in side by side comparisons with each other, is that a multitude of
  −
objects can be said to have the same type without having to posit
  −
the existence of a set to which they all belong.  Without trying
  −
to decide whether I share this feeling or even fully understand
  −
the distinction in question, I can only try to maintain a style
  −
of notation that respects it to some degree.  It is conceivable
  −
that the question of belonging to a set is rightly sensed to be
  −
the more serious matter, one that has to do with the reality of
  −
an object and the substance of a predicate, than the question of
  −
falling under a type, that may have more to do with the way that
  −
a sign is interpreted and the way that information about an object
  −
is organized.  When it comes to the kinds of hypothetical statements
  −
that appear in these Examples, those of the form "x in X => #x# in X'"
  −
and "x : X => #x# : X'", these are usually read as implying some order
  −
of synthetic construction, one whose contingent consequences involve the
  −
constitution of a new space to contain the elements being compounded and
  −
the recognition of a new type to characterize the elements being moulded,
  −
respectively.  In these applications, the statement about types is again
  −
taken to be less presumptive than the corresponding statement about sets,
  −
since the apodosis is intended to do nothing more than to abbreviate and
  −
to summarize what is already stated in the protasis.
     −
A "boolean connection" of degree k, also known as a "boolean function"
+
1.3.10.6.  Stretching Principles (concl.)
−
on k variables, is a map of the form F : %B%^k -> %B%.  In other words,
  −
a boolean connection of degree k is a proposition about things in the
  −
universe X = %B%^k.
     −
An "imagination" of degree k on X is a k-tuple of propositions about things
+
To complete the general discussion of stretching principles,
−
in the universe X.  By way of displaying the various kinds of notation that
+
we will need to call back to mind the following definitions:
−
are used to express this idea, the imagination #f# = <f_1, ..., f_k> is given
  −
as a sequence of indicator functions f_j : X -> %B%, for j = 1 to k.  All of
  −
these features of the typical imagination #f# can be summed up in either one
  −
of two ways:  either in the form of a membership statement, to the effect that
  −
#f# is in (X -> %B%)^k, or in the form of a type statement, to the effect that
  −
#f# : (X -> %B%)^k, though perhaps the latter form is slightly more precise than
  −
the former.
      
The "play of images" that is determined by #f# and x, more specifically,
 
The "play of images" that is determined by #f# and x, more specifically,
Line 397: Line 504:  
defined as follows:
 
defined as follows:
   −
If        #b#  =      <b_1, ..., b_k>          in  %B%^k,
+
  If        #b#  =      <b_1, ..., b_k>          in  %B%^k,
   −
then  p_j (#b#)  =  p_j (<b_1, ..., b_k>)  =  b_j  in  %B%.
+
  then  p_j (#b#)  =  p_j (<b_1, ..., b_k>)  =  b_j  in  %B%.
    
The "projective imagination" of %B%^k is the imagination <p_1, ..., p_k>.
 
The "projective imagination" of %B%^k is the imagination <p_1, ..., p_k>.
   −
A "sentence about things in the universe", for short, a "sentence",
+
Just as a sentence is a sign that denotes a proposition,
−
is a sign that denotes a proposition.  In other words, a sentence is
+
which thereby serves to indicate a set, a propositional
−
any sign that denotes an indicator function, any sign whose object is
+
connective is a provision of syntax whose mediate effect
−
a function of the form f : X -> B.
+
is to denote an operation on propositions, which thereby
 +
manages to indicate the result of an operation on sets.
 +
In order to see how these compound forms of indication
 +
can be defined, it is useful to go through the steps
 +
that are needed to construct them.  In general terms,
 +
the ingredients of the construction are as follows:
 +
 
 +
  1.  An imagination of degree k on X, in other words, a k-tuple
 +
      of propositions f_j : X -> %B%, for j = 1 to k, or an object
 +
      of the form #f# = <f_1, ..., f_k> : (X -> %B%)^k.
 +
 
 +
  2.  A connection of degree k, in other words, a proposition
 +
      about things in %B%^k, or a boolean function of the form
 +
      F : %B%^k -> %B%.
 +
 
 +
From this 2-ply of material, it is required to construct a proposition
 +
q : X -> %B% such that q(x) = F(f_1(x), ..., f_k(x)), for all x in X.
 +
The desired construction is determined as follows:
 +
 
 +
The cartesian power %B%^k, as a cartesian product, is characterized
 +
by the possession of a "projective imagination" #p# = <p_1, ..., p_k>
 +
of degree k on %B%^k, along with the property that any imagination
 +
#f# = <f_1, ..., f_k> of degree k on an arbitrary set W determines
 +
a unique map !f! : W -> %B%^k, the play of whose projective images
 +
<p_1(!f!(w)), ..., p_k(!f!(w))> on the functional image !f!(w) matches
 +
the play of images <f_1(w), ..., f_k(w)> under #f#, term for term and
 +
at every element w in W.
 +
 
 +
Just to be on the safe side, I state this again in more standard terms.
 +
The cartesian power %B%^k, as a cartesian product, is characterized by
 +
the possession of k projection maps p_j : %B%^k -> %B%, for j = 1 to k,
 +
along with the property that any k maps f_j : W -> %B%, from an arbitrary
 +
set W to %B%, determine a unique map !f! : W -> %B%^k satisfying the system
 +
of equations p_j(!f!(w)) = f_j(w), for all j = 1 to k, and for all w in W.
 +
 
 +
Now suppose that the arbitrary set W in this construction is just
 +
the relevant universe X.  Given that the function !f! : X -> %B%^k
 +
is uniquely determined by the imagination #f# : (X -> %B%)^k, or what
 +
is the same thing, by the k-tuple of propositions #f# = <f_1, ..., f_k>,
 +
it is safe to identify !f! and #f# as being a single function, and this
 +
makes it convenient on many occasions to refer to the identified function
 +
by means of its explicitly descriptive name "<f_1, ..., f_k>".  This facility
 +
of address is especially appropriate whenever a concrete term or a constructive
 +
precision is demanded by the context of discussion.
 +
 
 +
o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o
 +
 
 +
RT.  Note 14
 +
 
 +
o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o
 +
 
 +
1.3.10.7.  Stretching Operations
 +
 
 +
The preceding discussion of stretch operations is slightly more general
 +
than is called for in the present context, and so it is probably a good
 +
idea to draw out the particular implications that are needed right away.
 +
 
 +
If F : %B%^k -> %B% is a boolean function on k variables, then it is possible
 +
to define a mapping F^$ : (X -> %B%)^k -> (X -> %B%), in effect, an operation
 +
that takes k propositions into a single proposition, where F^$ satisfies the
 +
following conditions:
 +
 
 +
  F^$ (f_1, ..., f_k)  :  X -> %B%
 +
 
 +
such that:
 +
 
 +
  F^$ (f_1, ..., f_k)(x)
 +
 
 +
  =  F(#f#(x))
 +
 
 +
  =  F(<f_1, ..., f_k>(x))
 +
 
 +
  =  F(f_1(x), ..., f_k(x)).
 +
 
 +
Thus, F^$ is just the sort of entity that a propositional connective denotes,
 +
a particular way of connecting the propositions that are denoted by a number
 +
of sentences into a proposition that is denoted by a single sentence.
 +
 
 +
Now "f_X" is sign that denotes the proposition f_X,
 +
and it certainly seems like a sufficient sign for it.
 +
Why would we need to recognize any other signs of it?
 +
 
 +
If one takes a sentence as a type of sign that denotes a proposition and
 +
a proposition as a type of function whose values serve to indicate a set,
 +
then one needs a way to grasp the overall relation between the sentence
 +
and the set as taking place within a "higher order" (HO) sign relation.
 +
 
 +
Sketched very roughly, the relationships of denotation and indication that exist
 +
among sets, propositions, sentences, and values can be diagrammed as in Table 10.
 +
 
 +
Table 10.  Levels of Indication
 +
o-------------------o-------------------o-------------------o
 +
| Object` ` ` ` ` ` | Sign` ` ` ` ` ` ` | Higher Order Sign |
 +
o-------------------o-------------------o-------------------o
 +
| ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` |
 +
| Set ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | Proposition ` ` ` | Sentence` ` ` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` |
 +
| f^(-1)(b) ` ` ` ` | f ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | "f" ` ` ` ` ` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` |
 +
o-------------------o-------------------o-------------------o
 +
| ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` |
 +
| Q ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | %1% ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | "%1%" ` ` ` ` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` |
 +
| X-Q ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | %0% ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | "%0%" ` ` ` ` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` |
 +
o-------------------o-------------------o-------------------o
 +
 
 +
Strictly speaking, propositions are too abstract to be signs, hence the
 +
contents of Table 10 have to be taken with the indicated grains of salt.
 +
Propositions, as indicator functions, are abstract mathematical objects,
 +
not any kinds of syntactic elements, thus propositions cannot literally
 +
constitute the orders of concrete signs that remain of ultimate interest
 +
in the pragmatic theory of signs, or in any theory of effective meaning.
 +
 
 +
Therefore, it needs to be understood that a proposition f can be said
 +
to "indicate" the set Q only insofar as the values of %1% and %0% that
 +
it assigns to the elements of the universe X are positive and negative
 +
indications, respectively, of the elements in Q, and thus indications
 +
of the set Q and of its complement ~X = X - Q, respectively.  It is
 +
these logical values, when rendered by a concrete implementation of
 +
the indicator function f, that are the actual signs of the objects
 +
inside the set Q and the objects outside the set Q, respectively.
 +
 
 +
o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o
 +
 
 +
RT.  Note 15
 +
 
 +
o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o
 +
 
 +
1.3.10.7.  Stretching Operations (concl.)
 +
 
 +
In order to deal with the HO sign relations that are involved
 +
in the present setting, I introduce a couple of new notations:
 +
 
 +
  1.  To mark the relation of denotation between a sentence z and the proposition
 +
      that it denotes, let the "spiny bracket" notation "-[z]-" be used for
 +
      "the indicator function denoted by the sentence z".
 +
 
 +
  2.  To mark the relation of denotation between a proposition q and the set
 +
      that it indicates, let the "spiny brace" notation "-{Q}-" be used for
 +
      "the indicator function of the set Q".
 +
 
 +
Notice that the spiny bracket operator "-[ ]-" takes one "downstream",
 +
confluent with the direction of denotation, from a sign to its object,
 +
whereas the spiny brace operator "-{ }-" takes one "upstream", against
 +
the usual direction of denotation, and thus from an object to its sign.
 +
 
 +
In order to make these notations useful in practice, it is necessary to note
 +
a couple of their finer points, points that might otherwise seem too fine to
 +
take much trouble over.  For the sake their ultimate utility, never the less,
 +
I express their usage a bit more carefully as follows:
 +
 
 +
  1.  Let "spiny brackets", like "-[ ]-", be placed around a name of a sentence z,
 +
      as in the expression "-[z]-", or else around a token appearance of the sentence
 +
      itself, to serve as a name for the proposition that z denotes.
 +
 
 +
  2.  Let "spiny braces", like "-{ }-", be placed around a name of a set Q, as in
 +
      the expression "-{Q}-", to serve as a name for the indicator function f_Q.
 +
 
 +
In passing, let us recall the use of the "fiber bars" or the "ground marker"
 +
as an alternate notation for the fiber of truth in a proposition q, like so:
 +
 
 +
  [| q |]  =  q^(-1)(%1%).
 +
 
 +
Table 11 illustrates the use of this notation, listing in each Column
 +
several different but equivalent ways of referring to the same entity.
 +
 
 +
Table 11.  Illustrations of Notation
 +
o-------------------o-------------------o-------------------o
 +
| ` ` `Object ` ` ` | ` ` ` Sign` ` ` ` | Higher Order Sign |
 +
o-------------------o-------------------o-------------------o
 +
| ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` ` `Set` ` ` ` | ` `Proposition` ` | ` ` Sentence` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` ` ` Q ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` q ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` z ` ` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` |
 +
| ` `[| -[z]- |]` ` | ` ` ` -[z]- ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` z ` ` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` `[| q |]` ` ` | ` ` ` ` q ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` `"q"` ` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` [| f_Q |] ` ` | ` ` ` `f_Q` ` ` ` | ` ` ` "f_Q" ` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` ` ` Q ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` -{Q}- ` ` ` | ` ` `"-{Q}-"` ` ` |
 +
| ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` | ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` |
 +
o-------------------o-------------------o-------------------o
 +
 
 +
In effect, one can observe the following relations
 +
and formulas, all of a purely notational character:
 +
 
 +
  1.  If the sentence z denotes the proposition q : X -> %B%,
   −
To emphasize the empirical contingency of this definition, one can say
+
      then  -[z]-  =  q.
−
that a sentence is any sign that is interpreted as naming a proposition,
  −
any sign that is taken to denote an indicator function, or any sign whose
  −
object happens to be a function of the form f : X -> B.
     −
----
+
  2.  If the sentence z denotes the proposition q : X -> %B%,
   −
I finish out the Subsection on "Propositions & Sentences" with
+
      hence  [|q|]  =  q^(-1)(%1%)  =  Q  c  X,
−
an account of how I use concepts like "assertion" and "denial".
     −
1.3.10.3 Propositions & Sentences (cont.)
+
      then  -[z]-  =  q  =  f_Q  = -{Q}-.
   −
An "expression" is a type of sign, for instance, a term or a sentence,
+
  3.   Q    = {x in X  : x in Q}
−
that has a value.  In forming this conception of an expression, I am
  −
deliberately leaving a number of options open, for example, whether
  −
the expression amounts to a term or to a sentence and whether it
  −
ought to be accounted as denoting a value or as connoting a value.
  −
Perhaps the expression has different values under different lights,
  −
and perhaps it relates to them differently in different respects.
  −
In the end, what one calls an expression matters less than where
  −
its value lies. Of course, no matter whether one chooses to call
  −
an expression a "term" or a "sentence", if the value is an element
  −
of %B%, then the expression affords the option of being treated as
  −
a sentence, meaning that it is subject to assertion and composition
  −
in the same way that any sentence is, having its value figure into
  −
the values of larger expressions through the linkages of sentential
  −
connectives, and affording us the consideration of what things in
  −
what universe the corresponding proposition happens to indicate.
     −
Expressions with this degree of flexibility in the types under
+
              = [| -{Q}- |]  =  -{Q}-^(-1)(%1%)
−
which they can be interpreted are difficult to translate from
  −
their formal settings into more natural contexts. Indeed,
  −
the whole issue can be difficult to talk about, or even
  −
to think about, since the grammatical categories of
  −
sentential clauses and noun phrases are rarely so
  −
fluid in natural language settings are they can
  −
be rendered in artificially formal arenas.
     −
To finesse the issue of whether an expression denotes or connotes its value,
+
              =  [|  f_Q  |]  =  (f_Q)^(-1)(%1%).
−
or else to create a general term that covers what both possibilities have
  −
in common, one can say that an expression "evalues" its value.
     −
An "assertion" is just a sentence that is being used in a certain way,
+
  4.  -{Q}-  =  -{ {x in X  :  x in Q} }-
−
namely, to indicate the indication of the indicator function that the
  −
sentence is usually used to denote.  In other words, an assertion is
  −
a sentence that is being converted to a certain use or that is being
  −
interpreted in a certain role, and one whose immediate denotation is
  −
being pursued to its substantive indication, specifically, the fiber
  −
of truth of the proposition that the sentence potentially denotes.
  −
Thus, an assertion is a sentence that is held to denote the set of
  −
things in the universe for which the sentence is held to be true.
     −
Taken in a context of communication, an assertion is basically a request
+
              =  -[x in Q]-
−
that the interpreter consider the things for which the sentence is true,
  −
in other words, to find the fiber of truth in the associated proposition,
  −
or to invert the indicator function that is denoted by the sentence with
  −
respect to its possible value of truth.
     −
A "denial" of a sentence z is an assertion of its negation -(z)-.
+
              =  f_Q.
−
The denial acts as a request to think about the things for which the
  −
sentence is false, in other words, to find the fiber of falsity in the
  −
indicted proposition, or to invert the indicator function that is being
  −
denoted by the sentence with respect to its possible value of falsity.
     −
According to this manner of definition, any sign that happens to denote
+
Now if a sentence z really denotes a proposition q,
−
a proposition, any sign that is taken as denoting an indicator function,
+
and if the notation "-[z]-" is meant to supply merely
−
by that very fact alone successfully qualifies as a sentence.  That is,
+
another name for the proposition that z already denotes,
−
a sentence is any sign that actually succeeds in denoting a proposition,
+
then why is there any need for this additional notation?
−
any sign that one way or another brings to mind, as its actual object,
+
It is because the interpretive mind habitually races from
−
a function of the form f : X -> B.
+
the sentence z, through the proposition q that it denotes,
 +
and on to the set Q = [|q|] that the proposition indicates,
 +
often jumping to the conclusion that the set Q is the only
 +
thing that the sentence z is intended to denote.  This HO
 +
sign situation and the mind's inclination when placed
 +
within its setting calls for a linguistic mechanism
 +
or a notational device that is capable of analyzing
 +
the compound action and controlling its articulate
 +
performance, and this requires a way to interrupt
 +
the flow of assertion that typically takes place
 +
from z to q to Q.
   −
There are many features of this definition that need to be understood.
+
o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~o
−
Indeed, there are problems involved in this whole style of definition
  −
that need to be discussed, and doing this requires a slight excursion.
   
</pre>
 
</pre>
Jon Awbrey
12,122

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