This mail is publicly posted to a distribution list as part of a process of
public discussion, any automatically generated statements to the contrary
non-withstanding. It is the opinion of the author, and does not represent an
official company view. (01)
>From earlier in the thread> (02)
" This is precisely the point that I dispute, that the communication is based
on different ontologies. This is worth some discussion. The hypothesis I
presented is that the part that **is understood** is based on *exactly* the
same ontology, and where the ontologies differ there is misunderstanding. In
fact, I can't imagine how it can logically be otherwise. Different ontology =>
different interpretation (at least when the parts that are different are part
of the interpretation process). But, **please** note that I said that what is
similar in people are the **fundamental concepts** - among which are the naïve
physics sort of notions that a weighty object will fall if not supported, when
near the earth's surface. The point is that there are lots of these, including
how people interact with each other, that we learn from experience as we grow
up. And when we put labels on those common experiences, we have the most basic
ontology, which is extended by analogy to less concrete things." (03)
The phrase, "And when we put labels on those common experiences" sends me
reaching for my 'Philosophical Investigations', notably the opening citation
from St Augustine. I was taught 'Investigations' as a set of therapies against
at least some forms that view. Experience are not things that we observe, they
are things we construct. The claim that we simply learn an ontology of
fundamental concepts is not one I would be comfortable with. We learn that the
elements of earth and water fall, while fire rises - concepts like weight, and
near-the-Earth's surface are secondary, and the latter quite outside most
people's experience. (04)
Sean Barker
BAE SYSTEMS - Advanced Technology Centre
Bristol, UK
+44(0) 117 302 8184 (05)
BAE Systems (Operations) Limited
Registered Office: Warwick House, PO Box 87, Farnborough Aerospace Centre,
Farnborough, Hants, GU14 6YU, UK
Registered in England & Wales No: 1996687 (06)
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