Re: terminal von Neumann

[John Kineman <***>]

Howard, that's helpful, thanks.

If I may inquire further, because it is the metaphysical difference I am
most concerned with, can you articulate that difference? For me it is
very important to how each was interpreting the model. In particular, I
have found even among the Rosen scholars (if I may use that term) there
is a metaphysical difference that I find important. Can you say more?

JJK

Howard Pattee wrote:

> > JK: Howard, what is the best reference on von Neumann's ideas in this regard
> > for me to read and get up to speed quickly. What I get on the Web is
> > just the computation complexity stuff that he seems most known for.
>
> HP: The only references I use are Theory of Self-reproducing Automata, edited and completed by Arthur W. Burks, Univ. Illinois Press, 1966, and General and logical theory of automata, in the Hixon Symposium, V. 5, No. 9, 1951, titled Cerebral Mechanisms in Behavior, Wiley, NY 1951. There are also The Collected Works, A. H. Taub, ed. That contain both, but I’ve never seen these.
>
>
>
> > JK: It seems you are saying there is no difference between von Neumann and
> > Rosen in the important points, is that right? Or do you see some
> > differences in their views?
>
> HP: Of course they have different philosophical (metaphysical) views and define some words differently, but on this replication issue, the Hertz modeling relation, and the incompleteness of physical laws for describing life, I can’t find any of their written words that indicate a significant difference.
>
> Howard

--
© 2004 John J. Kineman
all rights reserved