Using Sets to Make Sense of the World

USING SETS TO MAKE SENSE OF THE WORLD:

A CASE STUDY OF ONE MAN'S VISION

F. Keith Robins

franciskeithrobins @ outlook.com

Introduction by the editor

When I first received this submission I was faced with a short objectivised account of everyday applications of set theory and a longer document I could not open. After some email back and forth I still could not open the document and I wrote to Keith rejecting the submission because I did not feel the application of sets to everyday life in a low level way was interesting mathematically, philosophically or educationally. However, later on when I found the downloaded document on my computer I tried to open it directly with Word and it worked. It was in open office format which my internet browser failed to deal with. What I found was a long rambling collection of writing including thoughts about the use of sets in everyday life, accounts of how sets had help Keith make sense of his world, a dialogue with someone named Karen who asked some searching questions which revealed much about Keith’s history and unique world view, as well as philosophical thinking about reality, illusion and so on drawing a diverse set of philosophers. It was also clear that Keith had been trying to hire a freelance writer to help him write up his unique set theoretic world view and he has discussions with Debbie and a couple of other writers. My interest was piqued, not as a contribution to philosophy of mathematics or even the applications of mathematics, but as a unique case study of one man's vision in using sets to make sense of the world. Although the account includes some repetition, and seems to be in reverse order chronologically, I thought it best not to edit or suggest editing the document, apart from redacting personal information and contact details. I also neutralized the original colouring in cerise and black for easier reading.

Abstract

This paper demonstrates how mathematical principles can be applied to the thinking process. Looking specifically at objective thinking, it will demonstrate that it is a solution to consciousness. A key theme in this paper will aim to explore the definition of a set which is a class or collection of objects with specific characteristics. With the symbolic properties of language you can gather all connected or relevant knowledge for any situation. The article will explain set thinking in detail by working through a series of examples and arguing that objective thinking strategies cannot include any notion of perception because perceptions are based on uncertain information. This research will outline how set thinking can be used in everyday situations and the importance of associating any members of reality such as a human, animal or inanimate object as a unique set of knowledge rather than stereotyping.

There is a mathematical way of thinking which based on the definition of a set – a class or collection of objects with specific characteristics and the natural mathematical properties of language e.g. let X and Y be members of a set then let X be reality then Y is the word representing it i.e. they share the same characteristics. Because of the definition of a set you can gather all the connected knowledge for any circumstance hence it is objective e.g. Toothpaste – ‘classify’ something you take on holiday ‘expand’ other items take on holiday where you use the thought process of ‘classify’ and ‘expand’ to create a set. Alternative substitutes form a set with the subject e.g. instead of using a brush to lather face use fingers. A unique set of knowledge represents each member of reality e.g. toothpaste’s history etc. Consider the consequences of not taking each item which can be expressed as an equation X action = consequences Y where both sides form a set as the share the same characteristics. Set of language said to represent reality has the characteristics of being true or false so ignore rather than create personal perceptions. Set thinking can be applied to viewing the world viz. Action = the view of the world where both sides form a set.

Set thinking is useful in applying with

(a) what put in what pocket e.g. one pocket put a spectacle case / spectacle plus wallet; another pocket keys and handkerchief etc. – consequences – know where the items are / easy to check you have them all

(b) Where you store your clothes e.g. underpants in one drawer beside vests etc.

(d) filing documents into categories e.g. utilities / holiday literature etc.

(e) Storing crockery / cutlery etc. into sets

The same set approach is adopted by supermarkets and libraries who file their articles in sets.

Dear Karen

I am disappointed that you cannot help me to write a philosophy mathematics paper. I understand why you cannot help me further although I see from previous papers that they don’t seem to that strict. Many thanks for all your work especially getting details of the Philosophy Mathematics journal. You have help me to create ideas. Below is the latest version of set / connection thinking exercise relating to walking..

Kind regards

Keith

An example to demonstrate how mathematical thinking can be used to capture all connected knowledge for any subject. This thinking strategy is based on personal experience.

General principle

You can collect all connected / relevant knowledge for any circumstances using mathematical principles because of the definition of a set – a set, class or collection of objects with specific characteristics i.e. they are connected and language’s natural mathematical symbolic properties e.g. Let X and Y be members of a set where X = reality itself and Y = the word reality where X and Y share the same characteristics.

Ways of creating sets include – ‘classify’ or ‘generalise’ – viz. describe the characteristics of the set then ‘expand’ viz. seek other members of the set. If necessary establish whether it is a complete set i.e. all members have been identified. This thought process helps to expand the knowledge base. If you seek to create a complete set this a powerful thinking tool.

Connections or sets made when planning and going on a walk.

1/ Life is a set of experiences and each experience can be represented by a set of words.

2/ Determine what are the associated or connected decisions for the given experience then establish the relevant classes of knowledge associated viz. (a) accuracy (b) difficulty (c) importance e.g. wearing a sock thought process to gather all information include– (a) accuracy - does the sock fit? (b) difficulty - how easy to put on or obtain a sock? (c) importance - what are the consequences of not wearing / wearing a sock? The sock is [classify] a member of the clothes [expand] what other clothes are there?is it a complete set? The same connection thought processes can be applied to each item. Similarly re Water in water bottle – (a) accuracy – have you sufficient? Is it drinkable? (b) difficulty – how difficult in filling? / carrying the bottle? or obtaining water etc.? (c) Importance – what are the consequences of not having / having e.g. suffer from dehydration? Accuracy / difficulty / importance are the relevant classes of knowledge are used by auditors to capture all knowledge for any decision.

3/ Ask yourselves what are the relevant / connected rules for this class of experience e.g. laws, principles of the individual and tradition? – is it a complete set?. Apply the same thought process re any decision see above i.e. Ask yourself is it accurate or true? / how difficult to follow? / how important e.g. what are the consequences of following or not following? The consequences can be represented by an equation e.g. X= Y where X is the action and Y are the consequences where X and Y share the same characteristics hence form a set. An example of a tradition is to say hello to other ramblers.

4/ Ask yourself what are the appropriate [connected] mistakes for a given experience and what are the appropriate precaution to prevent the mistake occurring and in case the mistake occurs i.e. carry out a risk assessment e.g. mistake could be you injure oneself – precaution to prevent this occurring is to take care, ensure boots are laced tightly etc. or precautions in case mistake made i.e. injured carry a first aid kit. The contents of which should be connected with possible types of accident. Ask yourself have I complete set of mistakes that could be made. You could refer back to the past to see what types of mistakes you made before. Alternative ask an expert e.g. a Ramblers Association [classify a walking club – expand any other walking clubs]] member who lead walks or a bible e.g. walking book what first aid kit should be carried and what equipment carry and why i.e. consequences of not carrying or worn.

5/ Each member of reality including humans can be represented by a unique set of knowledge e.g. name of members of the party. The set includes knowledge that can be detected directly by the senses e.g. sight shapes of figures. It should be noted that the most important attributes are not directly detectable e.g. kindness and loyalty. This challenges celebrity culture where appearance is seen to be vital. By recognising that each person is represented by a unique set of knowledge this deters stereotyping where set thinking is incorrectly applied e.g. A footballer is seen to be uneducated then ‘classify’ and ‘expand’ to say all footballers are uneducated. Also don’t extrapolate a personal experience to apply to all circumstance e.g. other people have the same feelings as oneself for a given circumstances.

6/ Identifying the variable consequences of the direct effect of self on reality and other indirect consequences where Y action = X consequences which can vary from one person to another or vary from the same person on different occasions. e.g.

(a)The effect of feet or shoes on the ground –

(b) long term variable consequences of the action of walking – e.g. improve fitness or writing this piece

(c) The physical effect of weather on a person which includes the set of possible weather viz. rain / hail / snow / sun / wind – you could connect with weather forecast for the area for the given period of time – connect with relevant clothes e.g. carry or wear over-trousers in case of heavy rain plus protect oneself with sun cream – is it a complete set of all possible weather effects on all parts of the body?

(d) The resulting feelings.

(e) The effect of earthquake ‘classify’ nature effect ‘expand’ volcano eruption. Establish probability of such an eventuality.

(f) Set thinking as applied to viewing the world – action of viewing the world = resulting view and the view can be represented by a set of objects e.g. sky / sea / people etc. which are a series of shapes of colours rather than seeking meaning.

8/ Select a member – a person asks do you walk often? ‘Classify’ small talk connected with the walk ‘expand’ other small talk connected with the walk includes pointing out features of the walk. say. Other topics that could be classed as small talk could be the latest news which is likely to be known / connected by the person in the party. Ask how are they? hopefully they will be reciprocate hence means fully connected plus what holidays have been on or planned. Also the conversation is normally connected from one topic to another i.e. forms a set – small talk conversation can be represented by a set of words with the characteristics of small talk. The information that is given in conversation should be classed are possibly true or false. Only when act upon should you check that the information is true. For politeness you could accept true in the short term. This is a key feature of objective thinking – don’t create perceptions i.e. your personal way of perceiving the world based on insecure information.

9/ An object on the horizon of the sea looks like a tanker i.e. shares the characteristics forms a set. This can be generalised to include other lookalike subjects e.g. a cloud formation looks like a face ‘expand’ other connection terms include ‘that links up with’ , ‘also X’ .

10/ I walked on a narrow path I comment they should have a one way rule like a street – I have connect street with path.

11/ As a party should walk with them as a set rather than walking alone – to be sociable - connected or lose way.

12/ Clothes worn should be connected with the shape of the person i.e. fit.

13/ Items to be carried in the rucksack which is a set should be connected with loading capacity of the rucksack. They should each be connected to a reason e.g. (a) food – lunch e.g. for energy (b) weather proof – if rains..

14/ You could play a walk man playing suitable – connected music e.g. rhythm of walking matches the rhythm of the music.

15/ You should connect with other ramblers you meet to prevent direct connection with.

16/ Comparing different routes is connecting the different ways.

17/ Connect with the past the same type of experience in general or in particular.

Conclusion

Thus by creating sets you can gather all knowledge for any circumstances. You take each experience at a time. Of course you are free not to apply set thinking except it is recommended that you passively view the world that surrounds you rather than interpreting and not creating perceptions. This mathematical way of thinking is in line with the mathematical structure of reality e.g. the group of sets that form the periodic table and the fractal design of trees and coasts

Dear Karen

I hope you don’t mind me added some other ideas

TV comment paraphrased – ‘we should not allow the terrorists crush our way of life’ -

my comment

You can only be responsible for your own actions viz. variable connections [creating sets where X [action] = Y [effects] (where X and Y form a set as they share the same characteristics)] Don’t take the problems of the world on your shoulders as you cannot affect them. You can only do your best in your own world– treat everyone you meet the same with politeness see manners rules – connecting

Kind regards

Keith

PS I should have mention re new mathematical thinking strategy can be applied to what take on holiday – toothpaste etc. plus dancing, see main body of connections and variable connections – see above.

Ans 26 – I don’t have Microsoft Word

Ans 27 – I log into my Browser RE emails

Thank you for your reply. I can see that the questions may not seem to you to relate to creating a philosophy paper or article about objective thinking, but I am trying to understand your background and how you have reached the conclusions that you have (and also to expand on the information that you already have in your introduction).

Dear Karen

I should mentioned re mathematical thinking that is useful includes empathising with someone else is connecting with them – creating sets i.e. using mathematical thinking strategy – similar with connecting in a social gathering e.g. sit with the group rather alone / body language / using manners – e.g. say thank you which is connecting with a deed done to you.

Kind regards

Keith

Thank you for the references to mathematical journals – the most useful seems to be the Philosophy of Mathematics Education Journal no 19 whose Aims include ‘to freely disseminate new thinking’ plus extract from Journal from BehnazSavizi ‘Applicable Problem in History of Mathematics Practical Examples for the classroom’ – ‘How to teach mathematics so as to be more useful’. e.g. my response using set thinking includes (a)use classify and expand [create a set] to broaden your knowledge base – e.g. ways of getting from A to B NB Power of creating a complete set i.e. all members identified. (b) file items into sets to aid recovery e.g. documents into sets holidays / utilities / insurances etc. or cutlery – knives / forks etc. – set system is also used in libraries / supermarkets – (c) represent each member of reality i.e. including humans by a unique set of knowledge with subsets e.g. history / sense of humour etc. to deter stereotyping / generalising.

73) Was it only when you were a teenager that you saw a psychologist or have you seen one later in life?

Ans 73 – I only saw a psychologist when I was approx. 52 when I was having trouble at work – it was then they discovered I thought in a different manner than normal i.e. based on sets rather having perceptions

74) Have you ever been diagnosed as having autism or a condition on the autism spectrum?

Ans 74 – No I have never been diagnosed as having autism or a condition on the autism spectrum see ans to 73

PS Language relating to reality can be expressed mathematically as a set of words that can be true or false – where a set can be described as a collection of objects with specific characteristics – so don’t create reality – normally not needed except for human interest – interestedly Adam and Eve was ejected from the Garden of Eden because they sought knowledge – is this a coincidence that humans are wrongly seeking reality from insecure information?

Ans to26 / 27 outstanding

Kind regards

Keith

Dear Karen

I thought you may like to see my solution to ‘How I reached the conclusions that I have’

Due to hypersensitivity and hyperactive mind I was able to see patterns in language viz. connections – I also could not accept reality in the form of information as it can be true or false– hence did not create perceptions – my father was very labour party minded e.g. he classed all conservatives as bad which I revolted against and hence I designed a unique set of information to represent each individual my mother told me to speak to her rather than arguing with Dad – ironically I think he designed an accounts system which was all connected – invoice number / cheque number etc. so good that auditors said he did their work for them – I also determined as a teenager to create a philosophy based on considering the effects of my actions because I couldn’t keep the rules of conformation – Sunday School. Whenever Mother set rules I worked out aloud the consequences of following / not following the rules and the amount of effort to conform i.e. accept the rule. Whenever I worry I fell back to what are the consequences of actions plus putting things in perspective ‘worse things happen at sea’. I work this out by myself. I see the world that surrounds me directly. I have a clear mind with mathematical tools to gather collected / relevant knowledge e.g. create puns / metaphors etc. [see connections] IF I want to, except for viewing the world when brain automatically creates a set viz. Action = view of world .