Decision Tools

Notes on software and processes for collecting, analyzing and acting on data

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Working Notes : Between materialism and abstraction

Perhaps my goal here is a simple as providing a way to reconcile materialism, which excludes mind, and rationalism, which permits only mind. In 20th century philosophy, I've identified a few who also took on this task including William James, Frederick Ferre (who cites A.N. Whitehead) and Gregory Bateson. For them, the reconciliation comes from focusing not on either of the poles, but in the relationship between the two.

Each of us uses our own metaphors, taken from our experience. For me, it is the combination of probability and modeling that provides a framework for that which bridges the material and abstract.