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August 26, 2007

The Reasoner

Posted by David Corfield

My past and future colleague Jon Williamson started a monthly digest of research on reasoning - The Reasoner. I was asked to guest edit the August edition, which required me to write an editorial and to interview someone of my choice. I opted for Brendan Larvor, a philosopher with very close interests to my own. You can read these items here.

Posted at August 26, 2007 9:20 AM UTC

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How do mathematicians steer? Re: The Reasoner

“How do mathematicians steer their research” is a wonderful question. I also like the use of “steer” for its association with the old Greek word “kybernetes” and thus Cybernetics.

It sees that such a process is important, yet not within Mathematics at the formal level.

It is not reducible to Citation Index and h-number, for example.

The hierarchical classification of mathematical topics may play a role in what is apparently a very non-hierarchical process.

Brendon Larvor’s insights into the Lakotos programme are fascinating, as is your introduction, and the entire August edition. Thank you for sharing these.

Posted by: Jonathan Vos Post on August 26, 2007 6:54 PM | Permalink | Reply to this

Re: How do mathematicians steer? Re: The Reasoner

That’s generous, thanks. And thanks too for the connection between steering and cybernetics. A new thought for me.

BL

Posted by: Brendan on September 6, 2007 8:56 PM | Permalink | Reply to this

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