Changes

The previous section took the concept of ''formalization'' as an example of a topic that a writer might try to translate from informal to formal discussion, perhaps as a way of clarifying the general concept to an optimal degree, or perhaps as a way of communicating a particular concept of it to a reader.  In either case the formalization process, that aims to translate a concept from informal to formal discussion, is itself mediated by a form of discussion:  (1) that interpreters conduct as a part of their ongoing monologue with themselves, or (2) that a writer (speaker) conducts in real or imagined dialogue with a reader (hearer).  In view of this, I see no harm in letting the concept of discussion be stretched to cover all attempted processes of formalization.

The previous section took the concept of ''formalization'' as an example of a topic that a writer might try to translate from informal to formal discussion, perhaps as a way of clarifying the general concept to an optimal degree, or perhaps as a way of communicating a particular concept of it to a reader.  In either case the formalization process, that aims to translate a concept from informal to formal discussion, is itself mediated by a form of discussion:  (1) that interpreters conduct as a part of their ongoing monologue with themselves, or (2) that a writer (speaker) conducts in real or imagined dialogue with a reader (hearer).  In view of this, I see no harm in letting the concept of discussion be stretched to cover all attempted processes of formalization.

:: '''<code>F &sube; D</code>'''

:: <math>F \subseteq D</math>

In this section, I step back from the example of ''formalization'' and consider the general task of clarifying and communicating concepts by means of a properly directed discussion.  Let this kind of ''motivated'' or ''measured'' discussion be referred to as a ''meditation'', that is, "a discourse intended to express its author's reflections or to guide others in contemplation" (Webster's).  The motive of a meditation is to mediate a certain object or intention, namely, the system of concepts intended for clarification or communication.  The measure of a meditation is a system of values that permits its participants to tell how close they are to achieving its object.  The letter "M" will be used to annotate this form of meditation.

In this section, I step back from the example of ''formalization'' and consider the general task of clarifying and communicating concepts by means of a properly directed discussion.  Let this kind of ''motivated'' or ''measured'' discussion be referred to as a ''meditation'', that is, "a discourse intended to express its author's reflections or to guide others in contemplation" (Webster's).  The motive of a meditation is to mediate a certain object or intention, namely, the system of concepts intended for clarification or communication.  The measure of a meditation is a system of values that permits its participants to tell how close they are to achieving its object.  The letter "M" will be used to annotate this form of meditation.

:: '''<code>F &sube; M &sube; D</code>'''

:: <math>F \subseteq M \subseteq D</math>

This brings the discussion around to considering the intentional objects of measured discussions and the qualifications of a writer so motivated.  Just what is involved in achieving the object of a motivated discussion?  Can these intentions be formalized?

This brings the discussion around to considering the intentional objects of measured discussions and the qualifications of a writer so motivated.  Just what is involved in achieving the object of a motivated discussion?  Can these intentions be formalized?

:: '''<code>y₀ = y&nbsp;<math>\cdot</math>&nbsp;y >= {d,&nbsp;f}{d,&nbsp;f} >= {d}{f}</code>'''

:: <math>y_0 = y \cdot y >\!\!= \{ d , f \} \{d , f \} >\!\!= \{ d \} \{ f \}</math>

* The writer's task is not to create meaning from nothing, but to construct a relation from the typical meanings that are available in ordinary discourse to the particular meanings that are intended to be the effects of a particular discussion.

* The writer's task is not to create meaning from nothing, but to construct a relation from the typical meanings that are available in ordinary discourse to the particular meanings that are intended to be the effects of a particular discussion.