Tom's essay

[LUDWIK KOWALSKI <kowalskil@alpha.montclair.edu>]

On Sun, 13 Jul 1997 twayburn@juno.com (Thomas L Wayburn) wrote:

> Perhaps someone will read my diagrammatic approach to understanding?   
> I have improved the picture, lately, with a model that incorporates 
> four categories: (1) W, the world, (2) M, mental images, (3) P, 
> perceptions, and (4) W*, the "reader's" conception of the world in 
> which he imagines phenomena occurring.

I did try to penertate your message, Tom, twice, but not "with a pencil 
in my hand". This was not enough for me to grasp its usefulness (sorry 
for being so direct). You said you have a mathematical model of understanding.
To me "a mathematical thing" would be somthing that quantifies a concept, 
does numerical calculations or proves and disproves other things. I do not 
know how the object you created can be used for such purposes.

If I were you I would try to present the essey to mathematical logicians
who are familiar with the vocabulary and symbolism of your essay, and with 
the references you give. Showing it to people like me may not provide you 
with valid criticism. Your ideas may be brilliant but people like me may
not be able to recognize this. 

Keep in mind that my background in mathematical logic is only two bits 
above zero. I am still waiting for somebody more knowledgable to comment
here on your message. Perhaps then I will see how it can help us to "map 
ideas from one mind to another". Please do not be discouraged; your efforts 
to help us understand udnersatnding were probably appreciated by many, even 
by those who did not understand you. 
                                                      Ludwik Kowalski