Location: tables at Harrison Square (between D.M. Smith and Tech Tower), or the tables with benches downhill from The Whistle Stop (formerly Highland Bakery)
The Philosophy Club will meet to discuss a paper by Michael Hoffmann titled "Heterogeneous Reasoning: A Necessary Condition for Reframing Knowledge." In case of rain, meet in D.M. Smith Room 118.
As always, it is expected that attendees read the paper before the meeting.
Abstract:
When Jon Barwise and John Etchemendy introduced the notion of heterogeneous reasoning in the 1990s to describe reasoning with multiple systems of representation, they did not only start an innovative research program that provided important insights about learning processes, but they also planted the seeds for some confusion. There is a fundamental ambiguity in the notion of heterogeneous reasoning: Does the concept refer to reasoning with information that is presented in various modalities or to logically valid reasoning with multiple systems of representation? After distinguishing three forms of heterogeneous reasoning, this contribution argues — using examples from the history of mathematics — that one of them is a necessary condition for reframing in which one form of valid reasoning gets replaced by another one. Training in this form of heterogeneous reasoning might substantially improve education and better prepare people for dealing with conflicts and disagreements.
Contact:
Michael Hoffmann
michael.hoffmann@pubpolicy.gatech.edu