I have recently come across the philosophical work of Arthur M. Young (AMY). This is an initial impression of that work since I have only read what is available from the web links below, and even then there is a great deal to digest. In addition, there is difficulty in presenting a summary of his theory because of similarities to my ideas as well as substantial differences. I am sure I will need to return to AMY’s theory after more consideration.
I have hinted at a correspondence between several double duals presented in this blog, but I have steered away from claiming that they are all linked to each other – that they are essentially equivalently exchangeable. AMY’s theory links the four elements, the four causes, Jung’s functions of the psyche, geometrical elements and transformations, as well as several other fourfolds into a cosmic theory of reality.
Some of these same fourfolds are present in my theory, and I am considering how others may be introduced. Some not mentioned by AMY are only mentioned in earlier entries on this blog, without presentation. However, from many of these same fourfolds I have reached substantially different conclusions from AMY. I believe this is because AMY’s theory of process is essentially dualistic, whereas my theory appears to be physicalistic, although one might also say it is a process and/or relational theory.
Below is a table of some of the correspondences for AMY’s theory of process:
|
Aristotle’s
Four
Causes |
Jung’s
Functions
of the Psyche |
Four
Elements of
Empedocles |
Geometric
Transform-
ations |
|
| Purpose |
Final |
Intuition |
Fire |
Rotation |
Spirit |
| Value |
Material |
Emotion |
Water |
Scale |
Soul |
| Form |
Formal |
Intellect |
Air |
Inversion |
Mind |
| Object |
Efficient |
Sensation |
Earth |
Translation |
Body |
Below is a table of some of the correspondences for my theory:
Four Elements
of Empedocles |
The Here and
the Now |
Aristotle’s
Four Causes |
Duality of
Time and
Information |
Hjelmslev’s
Net |
| Fire |
Before |
Efficient |
Change time |
Substance
of content |
| Water |
After |
Final |
Bear time |
Form of
content |
| Air |
Above |
Formal |
Bear
information |
Form of
expression |
| Earth |
Below |
Material |
Change
information |
Substance
of expression |
References:
Arthur M. Young / The Reflexive Universe
Arthur M. Young / The Geometry of Meaning
http://www.arthuryoung.com/barr.html
http://www.arthuryoung.com/4levels.html
http://www.arthuryoung.com/the2exc.html
[*6.84-*6.89, *7.78, *7.79, *8.2, *8.62, *8.63]
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Our thesis is that the category Set is the ultimate abstraction of body, and that Set^op, equivalent to the category of complete atomic Boolean algebras (i.e. power sets), which we shall advocate thinking of as antisets, is dually the ultimate abstraction of mind.
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