Volume 8 · Number 2 · Pages 202–208
Descriptions as Distinctions. George Spencer Brown’s Calculus of Indications as a Basis for Mitterer’s Non-dualistic Descriptions

Patricia Ene

Log in to download the full text for free

> Citation > Similar > References > Add Comment

Abstract

Context: Non-dualistic thinking is an alternative to realism and constructivism. Problem: In the absence of a distinct definition of the term “description,” the question comes up of what exactly can be included in non-dualistic descriptions, and in how far the definition of this term affects the relation between theory and empirical practice. Furthermore, this paper is concerned with the question of whether non-dualism and dualism differ in their implications. Method: I provide a wider semantic framework for the term “description” by means of George Spencer Brown’s terminology in his calculus of indications as laid out in Laws of Form. The connection of descriptions and distinctions enables descriptions to comprise reflections and language as well as empirical observations. Results: Non-dualism can be thought of in different ways but still has essential elements in common with dualism. Implications: Non-dualism, as well as dualism, is an argumentation technique suitable for specific situations, but without significant differences in implications.

Key words: Distinction and indication, neutralistic basis, temporal paradox, re-entry, semantic, empirical and operational non-dualism

Citation

Ene P. (2013) Descriptions as distinctions. George Spencer Brown’s calculus of indications as a basis for Mitterer’s non-dualistic descriptions. Constructivist Foundations 8(2): 202–208. http://constructivist.info/8/2/202

Export article citation data: Plain Text · BibTex · EndNote · Reference Manager (RIS)

Similar articles

Staude M. (2008) Meaning and Description in Non-dualism: A Formalization and Extension
Müller K. H. & Riegler A. (2014) Second-Order Science: A Vast and Largely Unexplored Science Frontier

References

Baecker D. (1993) Probleme der Form. Suhrkamp, Frankfurt am Main. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Ene P. (2012) Nondualismus in Sprache und Empirie [Non-dualism in language and empiricism]. In: Pre-proceedings of the 35th International Ludwig Wittgenstein Symposium Ethics – Society – Politics: 63–65. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Janich P. (2010) Das dualistische Paradogma und die Funktionen von Sprechen und Handeln. In: Riegler A. & Weber S. (eds.) Die dritte Philosophie. Kritische Beiträge zu Josef Mitterers Nondualismus. Velbrück, Weilerswist: 33–49. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Kaldewey D. (2007) Die Form der Realität. In: Langner R., Luks T., Schlimm A., Straube G. & Thomaschke D. (eds.) Ordnungen des Denkens. Debatten um Wissenschaftstheorie und Erkenntniskritik 2. Hopf, Berlin: 25–36. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Kauffman L. H. (2002) Laws of form and form dynamics. Cybernetics & Human Knowing 9(2): 49–63. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Kull A. (1997) Self-reference and time according to Spencer Brown. In: Altmanspacher H. & Ruhnau E. (eds.) Time, temporality, now. Experiencing time and concepts of time in an interdisciplinary perspective. Springer, Heidelberg: 71–80. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Lau F. (2008) Die Form der Paradoxie. Eine Einführung in die Mathematik und Philosophie der Laws of Form von G. Spencer Brown. Carl-Auer, Heidelberg. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Luhmann N. (1984) Soziale Systeme. Grundriss einer allgemeinen Theorie. Suhrkamp, Frankfurt am Main. English translation: Luhmann N. (1995) Social systems. Stanford University Press, Stanford CA. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Luhmann N. (1990) Die Wissenschaft der Gesellschaft. Suhrkamp, Frankfurt am Main. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Mitterer J. (1992) Das Jenseits der Philosophie. Wider das dualistische Erkenntnisprinzip [The beyond of philosophy: Against the dualistic principle of cognition]. Passagen, Vienna. Republished, with a new afterword, in 2011 by Velbrück Wissenschaft, Weilerswist. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Mitterer J. (2001) Die Flucht aus der Beliebigkeit [The flight from contingency]. S. Fischer, Frankfurt am Main. Republished, with a new foreword, in 2011 by Velbrück Wissenschaft, Weilerswist. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Mitterer J. (2013) “On interpretation.” Constructivist Foundations 8(2): 143–147. http://www.univie.ac.at/constructivism/journal/8/2/143.mitterer. German original: “Über Interpretation.” In: Riegler A. & Weber S. (eds.) (2010) Die Dritte Philosophie. Velbrück, Weilerswist: 286–296.
Ofner F. (2010) Beschreiben und praktisches Handeln. Eine nicht-dualisierende Konzeption von Erfahrung im Anschluss an Josef Mitterer und George Herbert Mead. In: Riegler A. & Weber S. (eds.) Die Dritte Philosophie. Velbrück, Weilerswist: 64–76. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Reinfandt C. (2011) Das Wissen der Systeme. In: Pörksen B. (ed.) Schlüsselwerke des Konstruktivismus. SV Springer, Wiesbaden: 287–376. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Schönwälder T. & Wille K. (2003) Methodologische Überlegungen zur Konstruktion von Differenzen nach G. Spencer Brown. In: Schönwälder-Kuntze T., Heel S., Wendel C. & Wille K. (eds.) Störfall Gender: Grenzdiskussionen in und zwischen den Wissenschaften. Westdeutscher Verlag, Wiesbaden: 117–129. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Schönwälder T. (2003) Diskussionen zu einem (Fenster-)Sturz in die Welt der Abstraktionen. In: Schönwälder-Kuntze T., Heel S., Wendel C. & Wille K. (eds.) Störfall Gender: Grenzdiskussionen in und zwischen den Wissenschaften. Westdeutscher Verlag, Wiesbaden: 136–139. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Schönwälder T., Wille K. & Hölscher T. (2004) George Spencer Brown. Eine Einführung in die “Laws of Form.” VS Verlag, Wiesbaden. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Spencer Brown G. (1997) Laws of Form. Gesetze der Form. Translated by Thomas Wolf. Bohmeier, Lübeck. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Spencer Brown G. (2011) Laws of form. The new edition of this classic with the first-ever proof of Rieman’s hypothesis. Second printing with additions and revisions. Bohmeier, Leipzig. Originally published in 1969. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Weber S. (2005) Non-dualistische Medientheorie. Eine philosophische Grundlegung. UVK, Konstanz. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar
Weber S. (2008) The object of description is the description of the object so far. Non-dualism and beyond. Constructivist Foundations 3(3): 140–147. http://www.univie.ac.at/constructivism/journal/3/3/140.weber
Weber S. (2010) Der Non-Dualismus Josef Mitterers. Versuch einer Rekonstruktion. In: Riegler A. & Weber S. (eds.) Die Dritte Philosophie. Kritische Beiträge zu Josef Mitterers Nondualismus. Velbrück, Weilerswist: 15–32. ▸︎ Google︎ Scholar

Comments: 0

To stay informed about comments to this publication and post comments yourself, please log in first.