Changes

Line 30: Line 30:  
This is the most concise and comprehensive answer I know, but it is likely to sound facetious at this point.  On the other hand, if I did not actually use the method of inquiry that I describe as inquiry, how could the results possibly be taken seriously?  Correspondingly, the questions of methodological self-application and self-referential consistency will be found at the center of this research.
 
This is the most concise and comprehensive answer I know, but it is likely to sound facetious at this point.  On the other hand, if I did not actually use the method of inquiry that I describe as inquiry, how could the results possibly be taken seriously?  Correspondingly, the questions of methodological self-application and self-referential consistency will be found at the center of this research.
   −
In truth, it is fully possible that every means at inquiry's disposal will ultimately find application in resolving the problem of inquiry's nature.  Other than a restraint to valid methods of inquiry - what those are is part of the question - there is no reason to expect a prior limitation on the range of methods that might be required.
+
In truth, it is fully possible that every means at inquiry's disposal will ultimately find application in resolving the problem of inquiry's nature.  Other than a restraint to valid methods of inquiry — what those are is part of the question — there is no reason to expect a prior limitation on the range of methods that might be required.
    
This only leads up to the question of priorities:  Which methods do I think it wise to apply first?  In this project I will give preference to two kinds of technique, one analytic and one synthetic.
 
This only leads up to the question of priorities:  Which methods do I think it wise to apply first?  In this project I will give preference to two kinds of technique, one analytic and one synthetic.
Line 39: Line 39:     
The methodology that underlies this approach has two components:  The analytic component involves describing the performance and competence of intelligent agents in the medium of various formal systems.  The synthetic component involves implementing these formal systems and the descriptions they express in the form of computational interpreters or language processors.
 
The methodology that underlies this approach has two components:  The analytic component involves describing the performance and competence of intelligent agents in the medium of various formal systems.  The synthetic component involves implementing these formal systems and the descriptions they express in the form of computational interpreters or language processors.
 +
 
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.
  
12,080

edits