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110Lewis, causality, and possible worldsDialectica 54 (2). 2000.We show that, given standard assumptions about classical dynamical systems, Lewis' conception of possible worlds is incompatible with classical physics in that it would imply that all dynamical systems were integrable.
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96Bootstrapping NormativityPhilosophy and Technology 24 (1): 35-53. 2011.We compare the role of Cartesian assumptions in the symbol grounding problem and in the Myth of the Given: We argue that the Sellars–McDowell critique of the Myth of the Given and, in particular, its use of the concept of normativity can provide useful resources for responding to the symbol grounding problem. We also describe the concepts of normativity at work in computer science and cognitive science: We argue that normative concepts are pervasive in the sciences and that, in particular, McDow…Read more
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87Simulation, Theory, and Cut EliminationThe Monist 82 (1): 165-184. 1999.This paper is concerned. with the contrast between simulation- and deduction-based approaches to reasoning about physical objects. We show that linear logic can give a unified account of both simulation and deduction concerning physical objects; it also allows us to draw a principled distinction between simulation and deduction, since simulations correspond to cut-free proofs, whereas deductions correspond to proofs in general.
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87Descartes Among the Robots: Computer Science and the Inner/outer DistinctionMinds and Machines 21 (2): 179-202. 2011.We consider the symbol grounding problem, and apply to it philosophical arguments against Cartesianism developed by Sellars and McDowell: the problematic issue is the dichotomy between inside and outside which the definition of a physical symbol system presupposes. Surprisingly, one can question this dichotomy and still do symbolic computation: a detailed examination of the hardware and software of serial ports shows this
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78Causality, Modality, and ExplanationNotre Dame Journal of Formal Logic 49 (3): 313-343. 2008.We start with Fodor's critique of cognitive science in "The mind doesn't work that way: The scope and limits of computational psychology": he argues that much mental activity cannot be handled by the current methods of cognitive science because it is nonmonotonic and, therefore, is global in nature, is not context-free, and is thus not capable of being formalized by a Turing-like mental architecture. We look at the use of nonmonotonic logic in the artificial intelligence community, particularly …Read more
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18Are We Finite?Notre Dame Journal of Formal Logic 34 (3): 311--333. 1993.We argue that the unexpected examination paradox can be regarded as showing that the logic of temporally indexed epistemic states, although it is intuitively appealing, cannot be recursively axiomatised.
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16Theology and Logic: The Case of EbelingModern Theology 3 (1): 211--225. 1987.We examine Gerhard Ebeling's arguments against the use of logic in theology and find them unconvincing, mainly because Ebeling knows very little about logic as practiced.
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10Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes: Law and the Inner SelfOxford University Press USA. 1995.By any measure, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., led a full and remarkable life. He was tall and exceptionally attractive, especially as he aged, with piercing eyes, a shock of white hair, and prominent moustache. He was the son of a famous father, a thrice-wounded veteran of the Civil War, a Harvard-educated member of Brahmin Boston, the acquaintance of Longfellow, Lowell, and Emerson, and for a time a close friend of William James. He wrote one of the classic works of American legal scholarship, Th…Read more
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9A Linear Meta-Interpreter for Reasoning about States and ActionsLogic Journal of the IGPL 9 (5): 669--715. 2001.This paper describes an application of linear logic programming to the frame problem. This treatment has both practical and conceptual advantages over standard treatments: it is computationally efficient, and this efficiency arises because linear logic respects the identity, or otherwise, of situations
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9The Philosophy of Computer LanguagesIn Luciano Floridi (ed.), The Blackwell Guide to the Philosophy of Computing and Information, Blackwell. 2004.The prelims comprise: Introduction: Two Semantic Projects History The Uses of Semantics Conclusions.
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9Essay Review of D.M. Gabbay and F. Guenther (eds), H andbook of Philosophical Logic , 2nd edn, vol 9, Dordrecht, Boston, London: Kluwer 2002 (review)History and Philosophy of Logic 25 (2): 147--152. 2004.D. M. GABBAY and F. GUENTHER, Handbook of philosophical logic, 2nd edn, vol. 9. Dordrecht, Boston, London: Kluwer, 2002. xiv + 368 pp. €129.00, US$112.00, £79.00. ISBN1 402 00699 3. The philo...
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9Karl Barth’s Theological RealismNeue Zeitschrift für Systematicsche Theologie Und Religionsphilosophie 26 (1): 54--70. 1984.
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5On Scholarship: A Response to Stefik, Foster, and D'Iorio and BerberaIn Thomas Bartscherer (ed.), Switching Codes, Chicago University Press. pp. 95. 2011.
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1The Philosophy of Programming LanguagesIn L. Floridi (ed.), The Blackwell Guide to the Philosophy of Computing and Information, Blackwell. pp. 237--247. 2004.
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S. Abramsky, dm Gabbay and Tse maibaum handbook of logic in computer scienceHistory and Philosophy of Logic 23 (2): 135-136. 2002.This is a handbook, written by a number of authors from different research communities. Even though the subject matter of the book is reasonably unified, the divergence between their communities – firstly category theory and type theory, secondly universal algebra, and thirdly classical logic and complexity theory -- makes it difficult to get an overview; these communities are notorious for their poor relations with each other. Thus, even though it would be tempting to envisage a world in w…Read more
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Luther on the Limits of Human Activity: Dinner-Parties and SuicideNeue Zeitschrift für Systematicsche Theologie Und Religionsphilosophie 26 54--70. 1984.
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Nicholas of AutrecourtIn T. Mautner (ed.), The Penguin Dictionary of Philosophy, Penguin Books. 1996.
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Actions, Ramification and Linear ModalitiesLinköping Electronic Articles in Computer and Information Science 3 (11). 1998.
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Queen Mary University of LondonRegular Faculty
Areas of Specialization
Metaphysics |
Philosophy of Action |
Logic and Philosophy of Logic |
Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy |
Areas of Interest
Metaphysics |
Philosophy of Mind |
Logic and Philosophy of Logic |