Reinflating the semantic approach

The semantic, or model‐theoretic, approach to theories has recently come under criticism on two fronts: (i) it is claimed that it cannot account for the wide diversity of models employed in scientific practice—a claim which has led some to propose a “deflationary” account of models; (ii) it is further contended that the sense of “model” used by the approach differs from that given in model theory. Our aim in the present work is to articulate a possible response to these claims, drawing on recent developments within the semantic approach itself. Thus, the first is answered by utilizing the notion of a “partial structure”, first introduced in this context by da Costa and French in 1990. The second claim is undermined by consideration of van Fraassen's understanding of “model” which corresponds well with that evinced by modem mathematicians. This latter discussion, in particular, has an impact on the continuing debate regarding the relative merits of the semantic and syntactic views and the developments presented here can be taken to provide further support to the former.     

Differentiating avoidant and depressive personality disorders

The purpose of this study was to test a priori predictions about the way in which avoidant personality disorder (APD) can be differentiated from depressive personality disorder (DPD) in a clinical population. Psychiatric outpatients were administered two measures of DPD, including the SCID-II for other DSM-IV Axis II personality disorders, along with criterion measures upon which the two disorders would be differentiated. APD was found to be most strongly associated with state and trait measures of anxiety, while DPD was most strongly associated with state and trait measures of hostility. Individuals with DPD had higher mean scores on measures of hostility than those without DPD, and individuals with APD had higher mean scores on measures of anxiety than those without APD. However, DPD measures were also significantly correlated with state and trait measures of anxiety and APD with measures of depressive symptoms. Furthermore, anxiety was found to be higher in some groups of individuals with DPD than those with APD. It is concluded that the level of hostility in this DPD population appears to be an important symptom by which to differentiate the two disorders and that a reconsideration of including DPD criterion #4 -- prone to brooding and worrying -- may be justified. Furthermore, the SCID-II interview may be better at differentiating DPD and APD than a self-report measure of DPD.     

燕齐圜钱的比较研究

战国晚期燕国和齐国铸行的方孔圆钱在形制、钱文等方面有着诸多相似之处,二国之圜钱联系密切。燕国圜钱的铸行晚于齐国,在币值的分等和铸造技术等方面也不如齐国进步。齐国圜钱为三等币值,燕国为二等币值;齐币已使用当时先进的叠铸技术,而燕币的铸造尚不见此法的应用。可以认定燕国圜钱是受到齐国圜钱的影响后产生的,这同齐襄王退燕以前燕国刀币对齐国货币强烈影响的态势有所不同。     

How Old Are These Bones? Putnam, Wittgenstein and Verification: Steven Gerrard

Hilary Putnam introduced a puzzle about a citizen of the 17th century who speculates that some mysterious bones are over a million years old. I compare this situation, where the speculation is ahead of the method of carbon dating, with speculating about (1) a mathematical theorem before there is a proof, and (2) a riddle before there is an answer. All these cases are helpfully illuminated by Meno's paradox and, especially, Wittgenstein's philosophy of mathematics. I draw some conclusions about Wittgenstein's methodology both in his philosophy of mathematics and his more general philosophy, focusing on the roles of local perspicuity and changing our way of looking at things.     

理解数学:代数式的进路——访英国利物浦大学哲学系玛丽·兰博士

玛丽.兰(Mary Leng)是英国当代数学哲学界的青年代表人物之一,她的主要研究兴趣包括数学中的虚构主义、数学反实在论以及数学应用中的哲学问题等,其即将出版的著作为《数学与实在》。2006年5月她专程到山西大学科学技术哲学研究中心讲学访问,在此期间,笔者对她就当代数学哲学中的各种代数式观点进行了专访。问:传统的数学哲学最关注数学基础问题,哲学家与数学家们都试图为数学找到一个坚实而明确的公理基础。逻辑主义、形式主义以及直觉主义者三大基础纲领已经被发展起来,但学界就这一问题始终未达到共识。请问,数学基础问题的研究在当代西…