FROM NOUMENA TO KNOWLEDGE This is an essay in the form of a concept-map plus explanatory notes. It outlines the path followed by Information from Noumena to Knowledge. The viewpoint is Physicalist: everything comprising the phenomenal world is physical (part of the world studied by Physics). Thus not only the sight of an apple a physical phenomenon, but also the concept of 'apple' as well as the word representing that concept. Each is a phenomenon, each is embodied by a neuronal structure, and each represents different a noumenon. This essay is incomplete in both detail and in breadth. It is at best suggestive, offering only signposts along a complex path. Moreover science, esp. since the discovery of Quantum Mechanics about a century ago, continually brings forward new concepts (Evolution via DNA, Wave Functions and their collapse or noncollapse...) which should be at least mentioned in a more complete concept-map. These subjects will be discussed in the second half of this work. This, the first half, faces Philosophy. The second half will face Physics. Click to Map Edward Remler Department of Physics The College of William and Mary use via Noumena Sensory Information ultimate source of Neuronal Structure conveyed and embodied in Phenomenal World the Brain leading to and embodied in representing presents to Consciousnessfields esp. electro magnetic chemicals esp. DNA QM mechanisms Strategical Information convey creates and usesembodied in Minimization Strategies ConceptsPropositions Evolutionary Experience Inherited Information Aposteori data Intelligence Apriori data Life Experience Knowledge Determines Ultimate source of Apriori Concepts Aposteori Concepts Links Click to Preface Click To Notes Links Links Links Information exists and must have a source. It may be identified with the noumenal world. We know nothing about noumena other than their necessary existence since we only know what is presented to us via phenomena. Noumena Information (which generally has many meanings) here refers only to that part of a structure that influences another system's structure. All information we receive is ultimately genetic or sensual. Sensory Information Neuronal Structure is expressed by the interconnections between neurons. Similarly, Knowledge is expressed by the interconnections between Propositions. Neuronal Structure Minimization Strategies exist to make the best possible mental use of the physical capacities of the brain such as the number of neurons in it and their signal speed. Thus, for example, each concept we create can link together and replace many data. Minimization Strategies Strategic Information The information conveying Minimization Strategies. Life Experience This includes scientific experiment which extends human senses. Data Data are the items which can be Linked/collected together to form a concept. Notes page 1 Back to Map More Notes Data Data are items which can be collected together to form a concept. Apriori Apriori data and concepts are derived from experience of previous generations serving needs of survival. Apriori Concepts include basic ones such as those related to cause/effect, space/time, quantity, etc. Aposteri Aposteori concepts are those learned during one's life. They depend on Aposteori and possibly also Apriori, data. Examples include 'Apple', 'Evil'. Addition', Determinism'...etc. Concepts The concept 'Concept' is an example of an Apriori Concept. Propositions "Intelligence links Concepts into Propositions, and Propositions into Knowledge" is an example of a Proposition. Knowledge This concept map is an example of a representation of a body of knowledge. Each box is a concept; lines connect a few concepts into a Proposition; a complex of connected propositions forms one body of knowledge. Notes page 2 Intelligence Statistical studies indicate that intelligence can be traced to one's genes. Back to Notes 1 Back to Map Link A link to the Line connecting A to B means that multiple A's are reduced to one B