ON TRUTH, UNCERTAINTY, EQUILIBRIUM AND HARMONY — A TAXONOMY FOR YINYANG SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING

Wen-Ran Zhang (), Paul P. Wang, Karl E. Peace (), Justin Zhan () and Yan-Qing Zhang ()
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Wen-Ran Zhang: Department of Computer Science, College of Information Technology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia 30460, USA
Paul P. Wang: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0271, USA
Karl E. Peace: The Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA
Justin Zhan: The Heinz School, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890, USA
Yan-Qing Zhang: Department of Computer Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 30203, USA

New Mathematics and Natural Computation (NMNC), 2008, vol. 04, issue 02, 207-229

Abstract: Although modern scientific and technological advances derive computational power primarily from the classical evidence-based bottom-up cognition as founded by Greek philosopher Aristotle in his philosophy of science with a bivalent logic, the classical cognition, however, has met stiff challenges during the last few decades because of uncertainty faced by many new scientific endeavors. The holistic top-down nature of nanotechnology and brain modeling are just two of many examples. This new development points to the need for a critical review of the historical origins and distinctions of both top-down and bottom-up cognitions. This paper reviews the philosophy of science as founded by Aristotle (300BC), the Platonic realism as founded by Aristotle's teacher Plato (400BC-300BC), and the YinYang philosophy as founded by the ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi (or Laotze) (600BC). It is suggested that the long-standing unsettled dispute between Aristotle and Plato features a major source of uncertainty for both logic and mathematics. The authors hence propose a number of controversial philosophical and logical issues for debate. We advocate YinYang as an inspiration and unifying force for both top-down inductive and bottom-up deductive reasoning. We attempt to use an equilibrium-based YinYang bipolar dynamic logic (BDL) to bridge the gap between Aristotle and Plato as well as between logic and mathematics. Furthermore, we present a taxonomy for YinYang scientific computing with a classification of logical and statistical models for further discussion; we suggest that YinYang can be used as a catalyst for resolving certain "terminological difficulties" regarding truth, polarity, intuitionism, para-consistency, and fuzziness for equilibrium and harmony. A number of critical points are enumerated and discussed. An open challenge is posted.

Keywords: Bottom-up reasoning; top-down reasoning; bipolar holistic cognition; truth and uncertainty; equilibrium and harmony; YinYang scientific computing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
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DOI: 10.1142/S1793005708001033

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