I accept any or all of the above. The last one is
the most difficult to prove IMO. One must find the
axioms for the system of applying mathematical
symbols to letters and not only check the formula
against the numerical equivalents but also check the
equivalents according to the meanings of each letter
in isolation and all letters as a totality in order
to revise the axioms which set the standards for the
system used so that the system can then be said to
apply not only to these letters but to all letters.
I do not think that "word math" has been refined to
this level yet.
I do think that certain concepts have a general
understanding so that they are more often than not
resolved to words with certain "sums" ("meanings").
EX: Any concept which involves speed will have in
the elements of its equation-- or statements about
"speed"-- the concepts of distance, division, and
time (as speed = distance/ time; so to do sentences
which show logical equations about speed include
certain words: "He went quickly to the store"--
quickly = speed, "to the store" = distance... we
might logically say that the statement lacks meaning
which we could clarify with the idea that it took
only 5 minutes ("time")).
I admit that the concept of "divided by" is
difficult (as is the "+" sign in the previous
example). In this example we might say: quickly =
to the store "/" 5 minutes; such that a perception
of speed is related to a perception of location when
location can be symbolically "moved" according to an
incremental *place designation* (that the
increments of this place designation might be noted
in a progressive way and also that they can be said
to define limits into which they might also be
"divided").
Or, "time" has characteristics of location and place
that can be perceived, added, subtracted, divided...
these time "formulas" are related to perceptions
which are stated in words whose meanings are
reducible to a "truth" which is able to be checked
according to the action of the particular
characteristics to which they apply.
B. Lane Robertson
Indiana, USA
http://www.window.to/mindrec
Bio: http://members.theglobe.com/bretthay
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