[FRIAM] Rosen, Life Itself - in context

[glen e. p. ropella]

Phil Henshaw wrote:
> So, you get the representation of the unknown context of a thing by somehow
> knowing that the thing is not well described without it?   How do you know
> what you're missing?    I don't get where you propose the missing
> information to come from.

What?  I don't understand.

Your question was: "Given a complete math representation of a button, 
how would you derive a math representation of a button hole?"

I refused to answer the question because it is ill-formed.  And I tried 
to show how it is ill-formed, basically in two ways: 1) the symbol 
"button" refers to a _transform_.  In this case the transform is 
something like "separate -> together", as in two separate pieces of 
cloth being buttoned together. And 2) you can't have a complete math 
representation of only one part of the transform.  If the math 
representation of the transform is _complete_, then you know all you 
need to know about the whole thing.  If the math representation of the 
transform is incomplete, well, then you have to make up (or discover) 
some stuff in order to complete it.

If you reformulate the question, I can attempt an answer.  But I have no 
idea how this relates to changing the level of discourse or "hopping in 
and out of particular formal systems".  So, it would be handy if you'd 
preface your reformulated question with why it's relevant to the thread.

p.s.  To see why the symbol "button" refers to a transform instead of 
some concrete object, consider that one can never have a _complete_ math 
representation of a concrete object.  One can _only_ build a complete 
math representation of an abstract object.  That abstract object can 
refer to (or be an aspect of) a concrete object.  But, that's the beauty 
of concrete objects.  Little plastic disks with holes drilled in them 
can be used as buttons, worry stones, desk levelers, decision support 
systems (assuming the sides are distinguishable), etc.  So, obviously, 
by "button", you don't mean "little plastic disks with holes in them". 
Hence, you must be talking about the _function_ or purpose of "little 
plastic disks with holes in them".  And one particular function of such 
concrete objects is to fasten separate things together.

-- 
glen e. p. ropella, 971-219-3846, http://tempusdictum.com