SUO: RE: Query: Reification
Dear John,
> > >
> > > > So all I am doing in identifying states
> > > > (which are spatio-temporal extents) is
> > > > identifying objects that have been hidden
> > > > by our intuitive/linguistic descriptions.
> > >
> > > Well, now you are using the word "state" in a way that
> > > I probably would not, because I am typically thinking
> > > about the state of a system.
> >
> > MW1: It may be that we a getting confused around implicit
> classes again.
>
> I must have been out of the room, or elsewise distracted --
> those who cannot standardize its "degree of hotness" (DOH)
> are much better served if they re-treat from the kitchen --
> or otherwise failed to get the memo about "implicit classes",
> so if you could supply me with a definition or a link to this
> discussion I will get right on trying to absorb the information.
> Could you bring me up to speed on what you mean by "implicit class"?
> Maybe it is something that I already know under a different name? --
> At least, I am hoping for the possibility of this being true ...
>
MW: You may recall that we had some discussion about the ambiguity of words
like activity, state, physical object, entity, because sometimes they are
used for individual things, and sometimes they are used for classes of
individual. For example:
(instance-of Demolishing-the-Shell-Haven-Refinery Activity)
(instance-of demolition activity)
Some people make the distinction (if they do at all) by saying activity
occurrence (or instance, or individual) for the first, and activity for the
second. Others (including me) tend to say activity for the first and
activity class for the second.
Of course in ordinary speech it can be worse than this since we might well
say "demolition is an activity" and it isn't even clear whether we mean
demolition is a sub-type of activity (occurrence) or a member of activity
(class).
It is one of the more common ways I know of to find yourself talking at
cross purposes with others whilst using entirely familiar words.
Regards
Matthew
============================================
Matthew West
Operations & Asset Management
Shell Services International
H3229, Shell Centre, London, SE1 7NA, UK.
Tel: +44 207 934 4490 Fax: 7929
Mobile: +44 7796 336538
E-mail: Matthew.R.West@is.shell.com
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