Jon Williamson
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198530794
- eISBN:
- 9780191712982
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198530794.001.0001
- Subject:
- Mathematics, Logic / Computer Science / Mathematical Philosophy
This book provides an introduction to, and analysis of, the use of Bayesian nets in causal modelling. It puts forward new conceptual foundations for causal network modelling: The book argues that ...
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This book provides an introduction to, and analysis of, the use of Bayesian nets in causal modelling. It puts forward new conceptual foundations for causal network modelling: The book argues that probability and causality need to be interpreted as epistemic notions in order for the key assumptions behind causal models to hold. Under the epistemic view, probability and causality are understood in terms of the beliefs an agent ought to adopt. The book develops an objective Bayesian notion of probability and a corresponding epistemic theory of causality. This yields a general framework for causal modelling, which is extended to cope with recursive causal relations, logically complex beliefs and changes in an agent's language.Less
This book provides an introduction to, and analysis of, the use of Bayesian nets in causal modelling. It puts forward new conceptual foundations for causal network modelling: The book argues that probability and causality need to be interpreted as epistemic notions in order for the key assumptions behind causal models to hold. Under the epistemic view, probability and causality are understood in terms of the beliefs an agent ought to adopt. The book develops an objective Bayesian notion of probability and a corresponding epistemic theory of causality. This yields a general framework for causal modelling, which is extended to cope with recursive causal relations, logically complex beliefs and changes in an agent's language.
Ettore Casari
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- January 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780198788294
- eISBN:
- 9780191830228
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198788294.001.0001
- Subject:
- Mathematics, Logic / Computer Science / Mathematical Philosophy
A starting point of Bolzano’s logical reflection was the conviction that among truths there is a connection, according to which some truths are grounds of others, and these in turn are consequences ...
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A starting point of Bolzano’s logical reflection was the conviction that among truths there is a connection, according to which some truths are grounds of others, and these in turn are consequences of the former, and that such a connection is objective, i.e. subsisting independently of every cognitive activity of the subject. In the attempt to account for the distinction between subjective and objective levels of knowledge, Bolzano gradually gained the conviction that the reference of the subject to the object is mediated by a realm of entities without existence that, recalling the Stoic lectà, are here called ‘lectological’. Moreover, of the two main ways through which that reference takes place—psychic activity and linguistic activity—Bolzano favoured the first and traced back to it the problems of the second; i.e. he considered those intermediate entities first as possible content of psychic phenomena and only subordinately, on the basis of a complex theory of signs, as meanings of linguistic phenomena. This book follows this schema and treats, in great detail, first, lectological entities (ideas and propositions in themselves), second, cognitive psychic phenomena (subjective ideas and judgements), and, finally, linguistic phenomena. Moreover, it tries to bring to light the extraordinary systematic character of Bolzano’s logical thought and it does this showing that the main logical ideas developed principally in the first three parts of the Theory of Science, published in 1837, can be effortlessly formally presented within the well-known Hilbertian epsilon-calculus.Less
A starting point of Bolzano’s logical reflection was the conviction that among truths there is a connection, according to which some truths are grounds of others, and these in turn are consequences of the former, and that such a connection is objective, i.e. subsisting independently of every cognitive activity of the subject. In the attempt to account for the distinction between subjective and objective levels of knowledge, Bolzano gradually gained the conviction that the reference of the subject to the object is mediated by a realm of entities without existence that, recalling the Stoic lectà, are here called ‘lectological’. Moreover, of the two main ways through which that reference takes place—psychic activity and linguistic activity—Bolzano favoured the first and traced back to it the problems of the second; i.e. he considered those intermediate entities first as possible content of psychic phenomena and only subordinately, on the basis of a complex theory of signs, as meanings of linguistic phenomena. This book follows this schema and treats, in great detail, first, lectological entities (ideas and propositions in themselves), second, cognitive psychic phenomena (subjective ideas and judgements), and, finally, linguistic phenomena. Moreover, it tries to bring to light the extraordinary systematic character of Bolzano’s logical thought and it does this showing that the main logical ideas developed principally in the first three parts of the Theory of Science, published in 1837, can be effortlessly formally presented within the well-known Hilbertian epsilon-calculus.
Phyllis McKay Illari, Federica Russo, and Jon Williamson (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- September 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199574131
- eISBN:
- 9780191728921
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199574131.001.0001
- Subject:
- Mathematics, Logic / Computer Science / Mathematical Philosophy
There is a need for integrated thinking about causality, probability, and mechanism in scientific methodology. A panoply of disciplines, ranging from epidemiology and biology through to econometrics ...
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There is a need for integrated thinking about causality, probability, and mechanism in scientific methodology. A panoply of disciplines, ranging from epidemiology and biology through to econometrics and physics, routinely make use of these concepts to infer causal relationships. But each of these disciplines has developed its own methods, where causality and probability often seem to have different understandings, and where the mechanisms involved often look very different. This variegated situation raises the question of whether progress in understanding the tools of causal inference in some sciences can lead to progress in other sciences, or whether the sciences are really using different concepts. Causality and probability are long-established central concepts in the sciences, with a corresponding philosophical literature examining their problems. The philosophical literature examining the concept of mechanism, on the other hand, is more recent and there has been no clear account of how mechanisms relate to causality and probability. If we are to understand causal inference in the sciences, we need to develop some account of the relationship between causality, probability, and mechanism. This book represents a joint project by philosophers and scientists to tackle this question, and related issues, as they arise in a wide variety of disciplines across the sciences.Less
There is a need for integrated thinking about causality, probability, and mechanism in scientific methodology. A panoply of disciplines, ranging from epidemiology and biology through to econometrics and physics, routinely make use of these concepts to infer causal relationships. But each of these disciplines has developed its own methods, where causality and probability often seem to have different understandings, and where the mechanisms involved often look very different. This variegated situation raises the question of whether progress in understanding the tools of causal inference in some sciences can lead to progress in other sciences, or whether the sciences are really using different concepts. Causality and probability are long-established central concepts in the sciences, with a corresponding philosophical literature examining their problems. The philosophical literature examining the concept of mechanism, on the other hand, is more recent and there has been no clear account of how mechanisms relate to causality and probability. If we are to understand causal inference in the sciences, we need to develop some account of the relationship between causality, probability, and mechanism. This book represents a joint project by philosophers and scientists to tackle this question, and related issues, as they arise in a wide variety of disciplines across the sciences.
André Nies
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- May 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199230761
- eISBN:
- 9780191710988
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199230761.001.0001
- Subject:
- Mathematics, Logic / Computer Science / Mathematical Philosophy
The complexity and the randomness aspect of a set of natural numbers are closely related. Traditionally, computability theory is concerned with the complexity aspect. However, computability theoretic ...
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The complexity and the randomness aspect of a set of natural numbers are closely related. Traditionally, computability theory is concerned with the complexity aspect. However, computability theoretic tools can also be used to introduce mathematical counterparts for the intuitive notion of randomness of a set. Recent research shows that, conversely, concepts and methods originating from randomness enrich computability theory. The book is about these two aspects of sets of natural numbers and about their interplay. For the first aspect, lowness and highness properties of sets are introduced. For the second aspect, firstly randomness of finite objects are studied, and then randomness of sets of natural numbers. A hierarchy of mathematical randomness notions is established. Each notion matches the intuition idea of randomness to some extent. The advantages and drawbacks of notions weaker and stronger than Martin-Löf randomness are discussed. The main topic is the interplay of the computability and randomness aspects. Research on this interplay has advanced rapidly in recent years. One chapter focuses on injury-free solutions to Post's problem. A core chapter contains a comprehensible treatment of lowness properties below the halting problem, and how they relate to K triviality. Each chapter exposes how the complexity properties are related to randomness. The book also contains analogs in the area of higher computability theory of results from the preceding chapters, reflecting very recent research.Less
The complexity and the randomness aspect of a set of natural numbers are closely related. Traditionally, computability theory is concerned with the complexity aspect. However, computability theoretic tools can also be used to introduce mathematical counterparts for the intuitive notion of randomness of a set. Recent research shows that, conversely, concepts and methods originating from randomness enrich computability theory. The book is about these two aspects of sets of natural numbers and about their interplay. For the first aspect, lowness and highness properties of sets are introduced. For the second aspect, firstly randomness of finite objects are studied, and then randomness of sets of natural numbers. A hierarchy of mathematical randomness notions is established. Each notion matches the intuition idea of randomness to some extent. The advantages and drawbacks of notions weaker and stronger than Martin-Löf randomness are discussed. The main topic is the interplay of the computability and randomness aspects. Research on this interplay has advanced rapidly in recent years. One chapter focuses on injury-free solutions to Post's problem. A core chapter contains a comprehensible treatment of lowness properties below the halting problem, and how they relate to K triviality. Each chapter exposes how the complexity properties are related to randomness. The book also contains analogs in the area of higher computability theory of results from the preceding chapters, reflecting very recent research.
Antti Oulasvirta, Per Ola Kristensson, Xiaojun Bi, and Andrew Howes (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- March 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780198799603
- eISBN:
- 9780191839832
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198799603.001.0001
- Subject:
- Mathematics, Logic / Computer Science / Mathematical Philosophy
This book presents computational interaction as an approach to explaining and enhancing the interaction between humans and information technology. Computational interaction applies abstraction, ...
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This book presents computational interaction as an approach to explaining and enhancing the interaction between humans and information technology. Computational interaction applies abstraction, automation, and analysis to inform our understanding of the structure of interaction and also to inform the design of the software that drives new and exciting human-computer interfaces. The methods of computational interaction allow, for example, designers to identify user interfaces that are optimal against some objective criteria. They also allow software engineers to build interactive systems that adapt their behaviour to better suit individual capacities and preferences. Embedded in an iterative design process, computational interaction has the potential to complement human strengths and provide methods for generating inspiring and elegant designs. Computational interaction does not exclude the messy and complicated behaviour of humans, rather it embraces it by, for example, using models that are sensitive to uncertainty and that capture subtle variations between individual users. It also promotes the idea that there are many aspects of interaction that can be augmented by algorithms. This book introduces computational interaction design to the reader by exploring a wide range of computational interaction techniques, strategies and methods. It explains how techniques such as optimisation, economic modelling, machine learning, control theory, formal methods, cognitive models and statistical language processing can be used to model interaction and design more expressive, efficient and versatile interaction.Less
This book presents computational interaction as an approach to explaining and enhancing the interaction between humans and information technology. Computational interaction applies abstraction, automation, and analysis to inform our understanding of the structure of interaction and also to inform the design of the software that drives new and exciting human-computer interfaces. The methods of computational interaction allow, for example, designers to identify user interfaces that are optimal against some objective criteria. They also allow software engineers to build interactive systems that adapt their behaviour to better suit individual capacities and preferences. Embedded in an iterative design process, computational interaction has the potential to complement human strengths and provide methods for generating inspiring and elegant designs. Computational interaction does not exclude the messy and complicated behaviour of humans, rather it embraces it by, for example, using models that are sensitive to uncertainty and that capture subtle variations between individual users. It also promotes the idea that there are many aspects of interaction that can be augmented by algorithms. This book introduces computational interaction design to the reader by exploring a wide range of computational interaction techniques, strategies and methods. It explains how techniques such as optimisation, economic modelling, machine learning, control theory, formal methods, cognitive models and statistical language processing can be used to model interaction and design more expressive, efficient and versatile interaction.
Keith Martin
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- July 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780198788003
- eISBN:
- 9780191829956
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198788003.001.0001
- Subject:
- Mathematics, Computational Mathematics / Optimization, Logic / Computer Science / Mathematical Philosophy
Cryptography is a vital technology that underpins the security of information in computer networks. This book presents a comprehensive introduction to the role that cryptography plays in providing ...
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Cryptography is a vital technology that underpins the security of information in computer networks. This book presents a comprehensive introduction to the role that cryptography plays in providing information security for technologies such as the Internet, mobile phones, payment cards, and wireless local area networks. Focusing on the fundamental principles that ground modern cryptography as they arise in modern applications, it avoids both an over-reliance on transient technologies and overwhelming theoretical research. The first part of the book provides essential background, identifying the core security services provided by cryptography. The next part introduces the main cryptographic mechanisms that deliver these security services such as encryption, hash functions, and digital signatures, discussing why they work and how to deploy them, without delving into any significant mathematical detail. In the third part, the important practical aspects of key management are introduced, which is essential for making cryptography work in real systems. The last part considers the application of cryptography. A range of application case studies is presented, alongside a discussion of the wider societal issues arising from use of cryptography to support contemporary cyber security.Less
Cryptography is a vital technology that underpins the security of information in computer networks. This book presents a comprehensive introduction to the role that cryptography plays in providing information security for technologies such as the Internet, mobile phones, payment cards, and wireless local area networks. Focusing on the fundamental principles that ground modern cryptography as they arise in modern applications, it avoids both an over-reliance on transient technologies and overwhelming theoretical research. The first part of the book provides essential background, identifying the core security services provided by cryptography. The next part introduces the main cryptographic mechanisms that deliver these security services such as encryption, hash functions, and digital signatures, discussing why they work and how to deploy them, without delving into any significant mathematical detail. In the third part, the important practical aspects of key management are introduced, which is essential for making cryptography work in real systems. The last part considers the application of cryptography. A range of application case studies is presented, alongside a discussion of the wider societal issues arising from use of cryptography to support contemporary cyber security.
Laura Crosilla and Peter Schuster (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198566519
- eISBN:
- 9780191713927
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198566519.001.0001
- Subject:
- Mathematics, Logic / Computer Science / Mathematical Philosophy
Constructive mathematics is a vital area of research which has gained special attention in recent years due to the distinctive presence of computational content in its theorems. This characteristic ...
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Constructive mathematics is a vital area of research which has gained special attention in recent years due to the distinctive presence of computational content in its theorems. This characteristic had been already stressed by Bishop in his fundamental contribution to the subject, Foundations of Constructive Analysis (1967). Following Bishop's new approach to mathematics based on intuitionistic logic, various formal systems were introduced in the early 1970s with the intent to clarify the notion of set theory underlying his work. This book addresses the relationship between foundations and practice of constructive mathematics Bishop-style, by presenting on the one hand some very recent contributions to constructive analysis and formal topology, and on the other hand studies which underline the capabilities and expressiveness of various formal systems which have been introduced as foundations for constructive mathematics, like constructive set and type theories. The book aims to provide a point of reference by pesenting up-to-date contributions by some of the most active scholars in each field. A variety of approaches and techniques are represented to give as wide a view as possible and promote cross-fertilization between different styles and traditions. The book also aims at further promoting awareness and discussion on the issue of bridging foundations and practice of constructive mathematics, thus filling the apparent distance that has emerged between them in recent years.Less
Constructive mathematics is a vital area of research which has gained special attention in recent years due to the distinctive presence of computational content in its theorems. This characteristic had been already stressed by Bishop in his fundamental contribution to the subject, Foundations of Constructive Analysis (1967). Following Bishop's new approach to mathematics based on intuitionistic logic, various formal systems were introduced in the early 1970s with the intent to clarify the notion of set theory underlying his work. This book addresses the relationship between foundations and practice of constructive mathematics Bishop-style, by presenting on the one hand some very recent contributions to constructive analysis and formal topology, and on the other hand studies which underline the capabilities and expressiveness of various formal systems which have been introduced as foundations for constructive mathematics, like constructive set and type theories. The book aims to provide a point of reference by pesenting up-to-date contributions by some of the most active scholars in each field. A variety of approaches and techniques are represented to give as wide a view as possible and promote cross-fertilization between different styles and traditions. The book also aims at further promoting awareness and discussion on the issue of bridging foundations and practice of constructive mathematics, thus filling the apparent distance that has emerged between them in recent years.
Anders Drachen, Pejman Mirza-Babaei, and Lennart Nacke (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- March 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780198794844
- eISBN:
- 9780191836336
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198794844.001.0001
- Subject:
- Mathematics, Logic / Computer Science / Mathematical Philosophy, Computational Mathematics / Optimization
Today, Games User Research forms an integral component of the development of any kind of interactive entertainment. User research stands as the primary source of business intelligence in the ...
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Today, Games User Research forms an integral component of the development of any kind of interactive entertainment. User research stands as the primary source of business intelligence in the incredibly competitive game industry. This book aims to provide the foundational, accessible, go-to resource for people interested in GUR. It is a community-driven effort—it is written by passionate professionals and researchers in the GUR community as a handbook and guide for everyone interested in user research and games. The book bridges the current gaps of knowledge in Game User Research, building the go-to volume for everyone working with games, with an emphasis on those new to the field.Less
Today, Games User Research forms an integral component of the development of any kind of interactive entertainment. User research stands as the primary source of business intelligence in the incredibly competitive game industry. This book aims to provide the foundational, accessible, go-to resource for people interested in GUR. It is a community-driven effort—it is written by passionate professionals and researchers in the GUR community as a handbook and guide for everyone interested in user research and games. The book bridges the current gaps of knowledge in Game User Research, building the go-to volume for everyone working with games, with an emphasis on those new to the field.
Leon Horsten and Philip Welch (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- November 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780198759591
- eISBN:
- 9780191820373
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198759591.001.0001
- Subject:
- Mathematics, Logic / Computer Science / Mathematical Philosophy
The logician Kurt Gödel in 1951 established a disjunctive thesis about the scope and limits of mathematical knowledge: either the mathematical mind is equivalent to a Turing machine (i.e., a ...
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The logician Kurt Gödel in 1951 established a disjunctive thesis about the scope and limits of mathematical knowledge: either the mathematical mind is equivalent to a Turing machine (i.e., a computer) or there are absolutely undecidable mathematical problems. In the second half of the twentieth century, attempts have been made to arrive at a stronger conclusion. In particular, arguments have been produced by the philosopher J.R. Lucas and by the physicist and mathematician Roger Penrose that intend to show that the mathematicalmind ismore powerful than any computer. These arguments, and counterarguments to them, have not convinced the logical and philosophical community. The reason for this is an insufficiency of rigour in the debate. The contributions in this volume move the debate forward by formulating rigorous frameworks and formally spelling out and evaluating arguments that bear on Gödel’s disjunction in these frameworks. The contributions in this volume have been written by world leading experts in the field.Less
The logician Kurt Gödel in 1951 established a disjunctive thesis about the scope and limits of mathematical knowledge: either the mathematical mind is equivalent to a Turing machine (i.e., a computer) or there are absolutely undecidable mathematical problems. In the second half of the twentieth century, attempts have been made to arrive at a stronger conclusion. In particular, arguments have been produced by the philosopher J.R. Lucas and by the physicist and mathematician Roger Penrose that intend to show that the mathematicalmind ismore powerful than any computer. These arguments, and counterarguments to them, have not convinced the logical and philosophical community. The reason for this is an insufficiency of rigour in the debate. The contributions in this volume move the debate forward by formulating rigorous frameworks and formally spelling out and evaluating arguments that bear on Gödel’s disjunction in these frameworks. The contributions in this volume have been written by world leading experts in the field.
Olle Häggström
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- January 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780198723547
- eISBN:
- 9780191790331
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198723547.001.0001
- Subject:
- Mathematics, Logic / Computer Science / Mathematical Philosophy
This book challenges the widely held but oversimplified and even dangerous conception that progress in science and technology is our salvation, and the more of it, the better. The future will offer ...
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This book challenges the widely held but oversimplified and even dangerous conception that progress in science and technology is our salvation, and the more of it, the better. The future will offer huge changes due to such progress, but it is not certain that all changes will be for the better. The unprecedented rate of technological development that the 20th century witnessed has made our lives today vastly different from those in 1900. No slowdown is in sight, and the 21st century will most likely see even more revolutionary changes than the 20th, due to advances in science, technology and medicine. Areas where extraordinary and perhaps disruptive advances can be expected include biotechnology, nanotechnology and machine intelligence. We may also look forward to various ways to enhance human cognitive and other abilities using pharmaceuticals, genetic engineering or machine–brain interfaces—perhaps to the extent of changing human nature beyond what we currently think of as human, and into a posthuman era. The potential benefits of all these technologies are enormous, but so are the risks, including the possibility of human extinction. The currently dominant attitude towards scientific and technological advances is tantamount to running blindfold and at full speed into a minefield. This book is a passionate plea for doing our best to map the territories ahead of us, and for acting with foresight, so as to maximize our chances of reaping the benefits of the new technologies while avoiding the dangers.Less
This book challenges the widely held but oversimplified and even dangerous conception that progress in science and technology is our salvation, and the more of it, the better. The future will offer huge changes due to such progress, but it is not certain that all changes will be for the better. The unprecedented rate of technological development that the 20th century witnessed has made our lives today vastly different from those in 1900. No slowdown is in sight, and the 21st century will most likely see even more revolutionary changes than the 20th, due to advances in science, technology and medicine. Areas where extraordinary and perhaps disruptive advances can be expected include biotechnology, nanotechnology and machine intelligence. We may also look forward to various ways to enhance human cognitive and other abilities using pharmaceuticals, genetic engineering or machine–brain interfaces—perhaps to the extent of changing human nature beyond what we currently think of as human, and into a posthuman era. The potential benefits of all these technologies are enormous, but so are the risks, including the possibility of human extinction. The currently dominant attitude towards scientific and technological advances is tantamount to running blindfold and at full speed into a minefield. This book is a passionate plea for doing our best to map the territories ahead of us, and for acting with foresight, so as to maximize our chances of reaping the benefits of the new technologies while avoiding the dangers.
