Changes

“Reflection” is a word that is used with a wide variety of meanings in both ordinary language and technical contexts.  Some of these uses have little to do with the sorts of inquiry being pursued here.  Other uses, though related to inquiry, refer to processes that are fully as complex as inquiry itself.  Neither of these extremes of meaning falls within the present focus of discussion.

“Reflection” is a word that is used with a wide variety of meanings in both ordinary language and technical contexts.  Some of these uses have little to do with the sorts of inquiry being pursued here.  Other uses, though related to inquiry, refer to processes that are fully as complex as inquiry itself.  Neither of these extremes of meaning falls within the present focus of discussion.

The task for this project is to identify a coherent set of operations:

The task for this project is to identify a coherent set of operations: (1) that fall within the scope of conceptual analysis and computational modeling, (2) that bear a recognizable and illuminating relationship to what is commonly called “reflection”, (3) that make an operational contribution to inquiry, and (4) that constitute simpler components of the operation of inquiry.

# That bear a recognizable and illuminating relationship to what is commonly called “reflection”,

# That make an operational contribution to inquiry, and

<p>I define &ldquo;symbol&rdquo; as any structure of signification in which a direct, primary, literal meaning designates, in addition, another meaning which is indirect, secondary, and figurative and which can be apprehended only through the first.</p>

# That constitute simpler components of the operation of inquiry.

| align="right" | Paul Ricoeur, ''The Conflict of Interpretations'', [Ric, 12]

The types of reflective operations of interest in this work are best approached and analyzed within a sign theoretic setting.  &hellip;

Paul Ricoeur, The Conflict of Interpretations, [Ric, 12]

 

This types of reflective operations of interest in this work are best approached and analyzed within a sign theoretic setting.  ...

Presented in the guise of an allegorical figure, reflection appears as the bailiff or the sergeant at arms who escorts an agent, faculty, or process from the office of power to the dockets of observation, examination, and potential revision.  But still, putting all allegory aside, this mode of transport goes nowhere at all, nor travels through any space, but turns on a mere change of views for all that it ushers in.  One is perfectly capable of using a power of inquiry of which no account is yet given.  But reflection is a part of the inquiry into conduct that gives the conduct in question a description.

Presented in the guise of an allegorical figure, reflection appears as the bailiff or the sergeant at arms who escorts an agent, faculty, or process from the office of power to the dockets of observation, examination, and potential revision.  But still, putting all allegory aside, this mode of transport goes nowhere at all, nor travels through any space, but turns on a mere change of views for all that it ushers in.  One is perfectly capable of using a power of inquiry of which no account is yet given.  But reflection is a part of the inquiry into conduct that gives the conduct in question a description.

He paused and nibbled absentmindedly on his branch for a while, as if gathering his thoughts.

He paused and nibbled absentmindedly on his branch for a while, as if gathering his thoughts.

Daniel Quinn, Ishmael, [DQ, 11]

Daniel Quinn, Ishmael, [DQ, 11]