FRIAM and causality

Posted by Phil Henshaw-2 on Nov 18, 2007; 3:18am
URL: http://friam.383.s1.nabble.com/FRIAM-and-causality-tp525252p525281.html

Well, considering that we're trying to answer questions about physical
things which remain undefinable, and keep reverting to discussing
abstractions we can simply define but have only vague relation to the
objects of the physial world, I'd say we still seem to have lost our car
keys in the dark alley but prefer looking for them under the street
light...


Phil Henshaw                       ????.?? ? `?.????
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: friam-bounces at redfish.com
> [mailto:friam-bounces at redfish.com] On Behalf Of Glen E. P. Ropella
> Sent: Friday, November 16, 2007 5:36 PM
> To: The Friday Morning Applied Complexity Coffee Group
> Subject: Re: [FRIAM] FRIAM and causality
>
>
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> Marcus G. Daniels on 11/16/2007 02:04 PM:
> > So we make the model better by using a larger/different network of
> > interactions instead of a (misplaced) slice, and try again!
> > Then on to the next problem...
>
> Well, sure.  But, my comment was about Nick's claim that the
> fallacy of misplaced concreteness was the primary obstacle to
> agreement about causal relationships.  My response was that
> another (more important in my opinion) obstacle is that
> causes and effects are complex.  Hence, one cannot say X
> causes Y if X or Y is some discrete thing.  The only accurate
> statement is situation Y obtains as a consequence of situation X.
>
> I don't imply that approximations cannot be obtained by
> taking various slices of X {x1, ..., xn} and Y {y1, ..., ym}
> and examining the sub-inference from xi -> yj.  But, there
> will always be room for skepticism that your particular
> slices adequately capture the cause and effect relationship.  
> Hence, a seemingly simple question about whether or not
> hammers cause nails to be embedded into wood will always be arguable.
>
> - --
> glen e. p. ropella, 971-219-3846, http://tempusdictum.com
> You work three jobs?  Uniquely American, isn't it? I mean,
> that is fantastic that you're doing that. -- George W. Bush
>
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