The "Mereology of Potentiality" project - e-Seminars

The "Mereology of Potentiality" project would like to announce the following activities for Trinity Term (to attend the e-seminar, you will simply need to click on the link provided):

Online Work in Progress seminars:

• 1 May - Thomas Sattig (Tuebingen) - "The enduring present"
• 8 May – William Simpson (Cambridge) - "Empowering scientific practices: Naturalism and the problem of induction "
• 15 May – Aaron Cotnoir (St. Andrews) - "A Mereology of Powers? Three Ideas"
• 22 May - Neil Williams (Buffalo) - "Book discussion: the power metaphysic"
• 29 May - Robert Corry (Tasmania) - "TBC"
• 5 June - Travis Dumsday (Concordia) - "The structure of powers: canvassing some options"
• 12 June - Elisa Paganini (Milano) - "Powers and Ontic Vagueness"

For all our project-related events, attendance is open to all. On our website -
(https://www.power-parts.website/ ) you can find news, abstracts, or sign up to our mailing list. 

For any questions, please e-mail us at power AT philosophy.ox.ac.uk

All the best
Anna, Christopher and Andrea


My source:
phil-powers AT maillist.ox.ac.uk

Mathematical 'objects' c/o TPM

INDIVIDUAL

|

     INTERPERSONAL    :     SCIENCES               

HUMANISTIC --------------------------------------  MECHANISTIC      

SOCIOLOGY  :   POLITICAL 

|

GROUP

"Fine's position is called 'procedural postulationism'. When we postulate, when we do a certain sort of reflection on mathematical objects, our acts in a sense bring those objects into existence. But what's going on is not quite like an author imagining a character. It's more like intellectually bumping into something, where the bumping and the something result in a new grip on mathematical objects. But he suggests that the objects, once we have them, in a  sense have always been there. I ask him how he makes sense of the idea." p.23.

"The right picture isn't one in which we just create the objects the way you might create a statue, bring into existence something that didn't exist before. What you're doing when you postulate is extending the domain of quantification, you're extending the objects about which you're talking. It's not that you're bringing them into existence. You're targeting the domain of quantification, a domain of discourse which hadn't been previously targeted. These objects are themselves mathematical objects that don't exist in time, in fact, if they exist they necessarily exist. So it's not that they previously didn't exist, it's just that you now managed to target a new domain of eternal, necessary existence." p.23.

"Logical and philosophical investigations into parts and wholes have been dominated by a certain tradition that goes under the name 'mereology'. ... I hold the view according to which there are many different ways in which parts can form wholes, and many of those ways are not mere sums. I think it's unfortunate for philosophy that philosophers focus so much on mereology as traditionally conceived."

"But how can a thing be more than the sum of its parts? Where does the more come from? Fine explains, 'If you take a tower of blocks that a child might make, that's composed of the blocks, but it's not a mere sum of the blocks. The blocks have to be in a certain order, one has to be on top of the other. I'm inclined to think of that tower as the blocks in a certain arrangement. So when you think of it in that way it's not a mere sum of the blocks. If you want to actually understand mereological structure as it's presented to us, it's very rare that we're going to be talking about mere sums. We're going to be talking about objects structured in a certain way to constitute a whole.'" p.25.

Garvey, J., with Fine, K. The silence of the lambdas, The Philosopher's Magazine, 4th Quarter 2011. 55: pp.19-27.

https://as.nyu.edu/faculty/kit-fine.html

Book: [iii] 'The Systems View of Life - A Unifying Vision'

The Systems View of Life -
A Unifying Vision

Part 2 addresses the title - the rise of systems thinking.

The part - whole distinction is not only the root of the reductionism - holism and analysis - synthesis debates, but you feel clever knowing what mereology means ;-). This book is jargon free, even while being detailed and technical when necessary. Terms are defined when needed.

You see (possibly?) the power of advertising given the prominence of vitality in marketing. Meanwhile, vitalism a key to life seems to be an unknown, ever present but in the shadows, until our attention is drawn to it (health: life-death). Capra and Luisi explore mechanism and vitalism, and in turn organismic biology. Whether dealing with science, economics, biology..., I like the way the authors draw in the initial thinkers, the pioneers: whose lives, work and influence often spanned the 19th and 20th centuries. 

The proof of my opening statement in post (i) can be found on page 66:

'Systems thinking is "contextual," which is the opposite of analytical thinking. Analysis means taking something apart in order to understand it; systems thinking means putting it into the context of a larger whole.' p.66.

Ever user(s)-determined (context-based), Hodges' model can readily identify, relate, incorporate the - linear, non-linear, serial, parallel, simple, complex, poor, rich, narrow, broad, static, dynamic, person, service and so on. Also on page 66, Ehrenfrels (1859-1932) is an example, the first to use the term gestalt to denote an 'irreducible perceptual pattern'. There are many potentials within Hodges' model, one of which is that of gestalt. Yes, in healthcare we need to see the whole. We need to see the person, but also see the person in their social, political and spiritual contexts ('determinants)'. Now the global context is critical.

Chapter 4 charts the new physics atomic phenomena, mysticism, uncertainty, probability, causality, space, time, energy, and E=mc². As per the book's subtitle, the search for a unifying theory in physics is noted, and ongoing. Box 4.1 briefly outlines the characteristics of systems thinking; including parts-whole, from objects to relationships and measuring to mapping. Within box 4.1, figure 4.1 reminds me of a Voronoi tessellation.^ From chapter 5 can I claim that Hodges' model is tektological - contributing to the science of structures? One day perhaps this Russian contribution to systems thinking can be looked at anew? Chapter 5 continues to reveal classical systems theories, general systems, cybernetics, feedback - in social systems too, and homeostasis - self-regulation. It's less than a page spanning 92-93,  but 'information theory' is duly noted, closing with cybernetics in the brain, and the emergence of self-organization. Shannon showed that even when there is noise in a communication channel, signals can be transmitted (coding). Is this why training and competence in interpersonal skills and self-awareness are so important, to help health professionals to attend, actively listen, and observe?*

An old T-shirt 'Art Matrix'

Chapter 6 on complexity theory, inevitably describes mathematical ideas providing equations. Unsurprisingly chapter 6 has figures galore. When I unpack the boxes and crates, I must sit down with The Beauty of Fractals ... (p.124!) and check the graphic capabilities of the latest software and hardware. The 'The Systems View of Life' definitely stimulates further enquiry. The baker transformation anyone (Box 6.2, p.107)? Exploration of non-linear dynamics, and abstract spaces also helpful in studies of relations and maths. This completes part II.

Many thanks again to CUP for the pb copy, much easier on the eyes. While this copy is new, I do make extensive use of secondhand books.

Fritjof Capra and Pier Luigi Luisi (2014) The Systems View of Life - A Unifying Vision. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

https://www.cambridge.org/gb/universitypress/subjects/life-sciences/genomics-bioinformatics-and-systems-biology/systems-view-life-unifying-vision?format=HB&isbn=9781107011366

^See: https://blogs.helsinki.fi/fcai-sig-lsc/files/2022/04/Peter-Gardenfors.pdf and 'conceptual spaces'

*Jones, P. (1996) Humans, Information, and Science, Journal of Advanced Nursing, 24(3),591-598.

Jones, P. (1996) An overarching theory of health communication? Health Informatics Journal,2,1,28-34.

Book review iii. General Psychotherapy: Principles and Common Theoretical Aspects - Rediscovering Humanity

   General Psychotherapy

In chapter 3 neurophysiological development is explored and epigenetic influences (3.2). For a decade or so I've highlighted to students the need for them to be aware of 'omics' which will clearly impact their future careers and subsequent learning. This is detailed also outlining limbic development, through to cognitive-linguistic functioning; and not just learning but forgetting. It is easy to take the self for granted, but here is a description of a self in formation, the neocortex, imagination and role of the pineal gland. Biological radiation of living beings (there is a error in the heading I believe*) is fascinating for reasons already acknowledged. Then it is as if time begins and psychological development can begin (life chances permitting). From the author's practice two cycles are illustrated - growth and transformation drawing on Gestalt thought and all referenced. 

Ever since reading on Goethe's part-whole thought I've been aware of mereology. Chapter 3 also examines intrapsychic and social space in respect of part-whole relationships. I'm continuing this journey so it helpful to find the distinction here also.

"According to the resonance principle, identification with key partial aspects can very quickly lead to an unresolved, formative core conflict. In an individual setting, empty chairs or symbolic locations may serve as backdrops for projection. Distance, posture and line of vision are highly relevant in this regard. In a group setting, forms of constellation work with representatives may be more helpful." p.155.

The book's philosophical content is well realised, fused with history and the development of psychology and neurosciences. Plato's cave is explained and related to tabula rasa: the blank slate (3.6.3). I feel I'm in Plato's cave in trying to look at Hodges' model as a mathematical object. There is encouragement too in Hartmann-Kottek identifying the role of blank slate. Hodges' model is also about forgetting, unconditional positive regard hence a blank slate. Chapter 3 concentrates on approaches to explain our development and personality, quantum-theoretic, Far-Eastern traditions, and Western working towards how we achieve coherence as an integral individual, building and relying on inner and external social and interpersonal resources (Fig. 3.4: Tower of consciousness. p.212.). Energy a key in this part of the book, is summarised in a further figure on background dimensions - combining two-axes of Whole-Parts and Space-time - Spaces of possibilities (p.222).

Chapter 4 is a welcome discussion of systems, interspaces, self, communication again through a cultural lens. Chapter 5 would benefit all healthcare students - an understanding of health and illness. While not tackled here - how we integrate and simultaneously address both requirements in service delivery is the challenge of 21st Century health provision? This is higher level from the outset: Attempts at Classification (5.1). While a  traditional book, reading had an immersive feel for me (with many posts on W2tQ): Diagnostic tools, 2-sided understanding of health and illness, the diagnostic, therapeutic (always kept in sight) reversal of symptoms, fields of tension and resources at various stages of development.

For readers looking for actual therapies, chapter 6 is the practical center of the text. The current state of psychotherapy is likened to the blind people trying to find an elephant in the dark. 'Many paths' in a subtitle is welcome, almost suggesting there is scope for all approaches and perhaps they can meet 'somewhere'? Motivations and politicisation aside, the variety of psychotherapeutic are indeed a treasure. They are listed, comprehensively as far as I can see, including many new to me. They are further sub-divided and considered: clusters through time, behavioural, then considered as per depth and effect levels, verbal - non-verbal, emotions, breathing and meditation, variations in consciousness. 

I've considered blind-spots before and highlight Hodges' model as having a role in situational awareness - hence safety and care assurance. Hartmann-Kottek remains grounded in how blind-spots can affect therapists and patients - individually and in alliances. The therapeutic relationship, transference and countertransference are emphasised once again. Compassion too - as part of a credible relationship - with selective authenticity. Technical points are raised too, the use of counterpart in Gestalt therapy. Some 40 pages of chapter 6 are very practical, with exercises and examples of conversations between patient and therapist to illustrate specific approaches and situations. This is far from a specific therapy manual but there is this quality to the content.

 

 'I' - 'Individual' 'SELF' 'Patient' 'Client'

  |

    INTERPERSONAL    :     SCIENCES               

HUMANISTIC --------------------------------------  MECHANISTIC      

SOCIOLOGY  :   POLITICAL 

|

dyad / couple  family  GROUP community population

psycho- symbolic personal meaning emotion lived experience emotional distance	-somatic

*Living near Manchester in NW England, the city's symbol is a bee (industry..). It appears in the text that 'Being' has become 'Beeing' in some instances - so an extra homely feel here.

Many thanks to Prof. Hartmann-Kottek and Springer for the review copy.

One more post to follow.

Hartmann-Kottek, L. (2022). General Psychotherapy, Principles and Common Theoretical Aspects - Rediscovering Humanity. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-87466-7

Empty chair image:
https://www.mentalhelp.net/blogs/gestalt-therapy-the-empty-chair-technique/

Book for review: v "Philosophy of Care - New Approaches to Vulnerability, Otherness and Therapy"

I think this is the final post for Philosophy of Care (think! There is so much more ...). There are other chapters more salient to me personally, but for Hodges' model and the collective human enterprise, I think chapter 5 by Virginia Held is the most important. There's not just a chapter, but three in Part II 'Care and Economy'. I appreciate the reminder of Kate Raworth's Doughnut Economics which challenges;"the dominant assumption of the economy as a machine". I notice on Twi/X Kate Rowarth reflects on the UK's election:

The book 'Doughnut Economics' opens with the story of Yuan Yang who, as a young economics student back in 2008, was challenging the outdated theory she was being taught. Last night she was elected as the first-ever MP for Earley & Woodley. Huge congratulations @YuanfenYang!

    https://x.com/KateRaworth/status/1809216007518507248

I gave Keir Starmer a copy of Doughnut Economics just 10 days before he became Labour Party Leader. So will the book make it onto his bookshelves in Number 10? More importantly: will policies for a regenerative & distributive UK become real under this government?...

     https://x.com/KateRaworth/status/1809235013403136029

While in Philosophy of Care, another three words stood out:

"'Big-picture thinkers'^, Raworth notes, have offered alternative visions, but they have been dismissed by the field of economics." p.102.

continued ...