Deep Teleology in Artificial Systems

Teleological variations of non-deterministic processes are defined. The immediate past of a system defines the state from which the ordinary (non-teleological) dynamical law governing the system derives different possible present states. For every possible present state, again a number of possible states for the next time step can be defined, and so on. After k time steps, a selection criterion is applied. The present state leading to the selected state after k time steps is taken to be the effective present state. Hence, the present state of a system is defined by its past in the sense that the past determines the possible states that are to be considered, and by its future in the sense that the selection of a possible future state determines the effective present state. A system that obeys this type of teleological dynamics may have significantly better performance than its non-teleological counterpart. The basic reason is that evolutions that are less optimal for the present time step, but which lead to a higher optimality after k time steps, may be preferred. This abstract concept of teleology is implemented for two concrete systems. First, it is applied to a general method for function approximation and classification problems. The method at issue treats all problems handled by conventional connectionism, and is suited for information with inner structure also. Second, it is applied to a dynamics in which forms of maximal homogeneity have to be produced. The relevance of the latter dynamics for generative art is illustrated. The teleology is `deep' in the sense that it is situated at the cellular level, in contradistinction with the teleology that is usually met in cognitive contexts, and which refers to macroscopic processes such as making plans. It is conjectured that deep level teleology is useful for machines, even though the issue if natural systems use this teleology is left open.     

德国功能翻译理论对高校英语专业翻译教学的启示

运用德国功能翻译理论对当前中国高校英语专业翻译教学现状加以分析,阐释了德国功能翻译理论对中国高校英语专业翻译教学的启示,提出了加强翻译理论的讲解、明确翻译目的并突出功能性、提高学生主动思维能力和文化意识、改变旧的评估标准和方法、选择有针对性的教学材料等对策。     

从美学角度浅析商标翻译

商标的翻译工作意义重大,进出口物品商标的翻译与相应产品的市场知名度度市场销售量有着密切的联系。商标翻译具有特殊性,不可机械地照搬“信、达、稚”原则,而应更多采用“归化”手段,好让消费者最大程度地加以接受。本文试图从美学角度通过对商标翻译事例进行诸如音韵美、简约美、意象美、义象美、形象美以度创造美这几个方面的分析．说明美感在商标翻译中的运用加强了商标名对人们心理的冲击力,从而达到一定商业效果。     

Conservation Under Occupation: Conflictual Powers and Cultural Heritage Meanings

This article investigates the influence of power struggles on conservation interventions. It looks at the effect that conflict over meaning-making in representations of cultural heritage can have on an inhabited historic environment. Narratives of particular interventions and historically developed discourses are analysed to explore how they become socially appropriated. An analytical framework is developed to unfold the narrative and heritage dimensions of interventions in the historic city of Nablus. Focusing on the periods of “peace” and “Second Intifada”, the conclusions show how actual conservations in occupied societies are not only influenced by direct violence, but are also enmeshed with discursive control over heritage questions relating to identity and superiority.     

Integrating neuroscience,psychology, and evolutionary biology through a teleological conception of function

The idea of integrating evolutionary biology and psychology has great promise, but one that will be compromised if psychological functions are conceived too abstractly and neuroscience is not allowed to play a contructive role. We argue that the proper integration of neuroscience, psychology, and evolutionary biology requires a telelogical as opposed to a merely componential analysis of function. A teleological analysis is required in neuroscience itself; we point to traditional and curent research methods in neuroscience, which make critical use of distinctly teleological functional considerations in brain cartography. Only by invoking teleological criteria can researchers distinguish the fruitful ways of identifying brain components from the myriad of possible ways. One likely reason for reluctance to turn to neuroscience is fear of reduction, but we argue that, in the context of a teleological perspective on function, this concern is misplaced. Adducing such theoretical considerations as top-down and bottom-up constraints on neuroscientific and psychological models, as well as existing cases of productive, multidisciplinary cooperation, we argue that integration of neuroscience into psychology and evolutionary biology is likely to be mutually beneficial. We also show how it can be accommodated methodologically within the framework of an interfield theory.     

普世伦理初探

当今人类面临的各种全球性问题和道德挑战，使得普世伦理成为可能。“自下而上”的探究方式达成以社会道义为基本维度的普世伦理规范；各特殊道德主体所持价值目的异质性的既定存在，使得普世伦理的承诺只能是低限度的。     

Aristotle, teleology, and modern psychology.

After first discussing the symbiotic relationship between science and philosophy of science in mind, the author then presents a very selective glimpse of the path that science traversed from Aristotle and the ancients to the modern science of psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Teleology as Higher-Order Causation: A Situation-Theoretic Account

Situation theory, as developed by Barwise and his collaborators, is used to demonstrate the possibility of defining teleology (and related notions, like that of proper or biological function) in terms of higher order causation, along the lines suggested by Taylor and Wright. This definition avoids the excessive narrowness that results from trying to define teleology in terms of evolutionary history or the effects of natural selection. By legitimating the concept of teleology, this definition also provides promising new avenues for solving long standing problems in the philosophy of mind, such as the problems of intentionality and mental causation.     

Aristotle vindicated.

Reviews the book, Behavior and mind: The roots of modern psychology by Howard Rachlin (see record 1993-99016-000). There is an important story about causality in psychology that needs to be told. It is a story which was once well told and widely understood during the Hellenic era, but a number of influential forces in our culture have conspired since then to sweep this story into a dark corner of our intellectual warehouse. In recent centuries, this story has been retrieved from its corner only rarely, and then it has been interpreted in a manner both unnatural to its originators and uncongenial to modern scientists. Authentic reconstructions of this story regarding causes and their effects began to re-emerge in the second half of the twentieth century among biologists and physicists, but it is still rarely heard in psychology. Rachlin's new book, however, tells this story as one of the central themes of the narrative. For this, if for no other reason, this is a book that should be read and carefully considered by all psychologists. The story alluded to is generally called "teleology," and it received its first full treatment by Aristotle in the fourth century before the Christian era. Rachlin delineates these origins, traces them carefully to the present day and develops a persuasive argument for the value and significance of this story for any complete psychological science. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)