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Indicative clues from other distinctive 16-fold mappings?


Coherent Reconciliation of Eastern and Western Patterns of Logic (Part #6)


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In discussion of logical opposition, Fabien Schang (An Arithmetization of Logical Oppositions, The Square of Opposition: A Cornerstone of Thought, 2017) makes reference to "blatant analogies" between the pattern of logical connectives and classical Chinese thinking. A related point is made by Jeffrey Z. J. Zhen, in presenting a binary logic framework whose function elements are invariant under permutation and complementary operations (Variant Logic Construction Under Permutation and Complementary Operations on Binary Logic, Variant Construction from Theoretical Foundation to Applications, 2019).

The history of the mathematical discovery of the so-called "monster group" arose from recognition of its unexpected connection to modular functions -- a correspondence recognized as monstrous moonshine. Arguably there is a case for seeking such improbable connections in domains of relevance to governance (Potential Psychosocial Significance of Monstrous Moonshine: an exceptional form of symmetry as a Rosetta stone for cognitive frameworks, 2007). The chaos of the times could be said to merit recognition of "monstrous moonshine" and the need for correspondingly "monstrous" possibilities.

Recognition of correspondences is readily framed as suspicious by many disciplines, although variously valued (Theories of Correspondences -- and potential equivalences between them in correlative thinking, 2007).This section is amended from one on Deprecation of potential correspondences: 16-fold patterns? in a discussion of recognitionof assumptions and unasked questions when facing crisis (Coping Capacity of Governance as Dangerously Questionable, 2019).

There is therefore a case for "confronting" the full pattern of 16 Boolean connectives with other 16-fold patterns -- however disparate -- which have acquired fundamental significance to the manner in which the world is ordered. One argument in support of this is provided by cognitive psychology (George Lakoff and Rafael E. Núñez, Where Mathematics Comes From: how the embodied mind brings mathematics into being, 2000).

The question is why 16, and how might any such set get "reduced" to 14 in practice? Especially with respect to systemic understanding of the challenges of governance, why:

Speculatively, are there 16 types of such distinctions to be fruitfully recognized? Why the absence of governmental plans articulated in this way at this time -- with some rare (if not strange) exceptions:

The predominant global strategic configuration in the form of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) suggests the need for extensive reflection on the means of rendering that framework memorable and meaningful at this time -- as the upgrade of the UN's earlier 8 Millennium Development Goals (Systemic Coherence of the UN's 17 SDGs as a Global Dream, 2021; Memorability of 17 Sustainable Development Goals with 169 tasks, 2020).

Suitably provocative candidates for confrontation are the 16-fold standard model of particle physics (minus the Higgs boson) and the set of 16 UN Sustainable Development Goals (minus the coordinating 17th). In systemic terms there is in an interesting comparison to be made between the 17th SDG and the Higgs boson. The Higgs boson and the ambition of goal coordination could be understood as equally elusive. It is strange to note that no attempt appears to have been made to configure either the set of goals or the set of particles in a three-dimensional visualization to facilitate wider comprehenion. Nor does any attempt seem to have been made to seek correspondences with the pattern of logical connectives. Of relevance to the "problematic" relationship between 16-fold and 17-fold is recognition of 17 ways to arrange a motif regularly in a plane (The 17 Plane-symmetries).

In the following exercise the first two images are reproduced from Confrontation of alternative mappings in Metaphorical Insights from the Patterns of Academic Disciplines (2012). The image on the right derives from a separate exercise (Interplay of Sustainable Development Goals through Rubik Cube Variations: engaging otherwise with what people find meaningful, 2017).

A particular mystery relates to assumptions regarding Goal 17, namely the Partnership for the Goals, and how this might be understood, as previously discussed (Eliciting Potential Patterns of Governance from 16 Sustainable Development Goals, 2022; Towards a configuration of 16Â SDGs in 3D, 2022). This explored Goal 17 through a polyhedral compound of 16 tetrahedra in 3D, notably presented as an interactive virtual reality model (Experimental interactive animation of a 16-tetrahedra complex of UN SDGs in 3D, 2022).

Juxtaposition of 16-fold patterns potentially implying underlying cognitive correspondencs (experimental)
Standard model of particle physics
(minus Higgs Boson)
Chinese pattern of tetragrams Sustainable Development Goals
(minus 17th coordination goal)
16-fold Standard model of particle physics (minus Higgs Boson) 16-fold Chinese pattern of tetragrams 16-fold Sustainable Development Goals (minus 17th coordination goal)
Reproduced from Wikipedia   Adapted from Wikipedia

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