Can thought be modeled using geometric or other methods?

“All models are wrong, some models are useful” – E.P. Box

Most of this document can be considered me obsessing over geometric models I have seen for defining and augmenting thought. I will try to collect as much of that thought as I can here, but I will also try to take it to a place where it can be connected with “smart” tools like modeling and simulation.

I want to talk about using geometic models as thought aids. I’ll start with a well know example and pose questions after and along the way.


title: “Modeling Thought” description: “” image: video:


References

model thinkers - this site does so much to illustrate where I wanted to go with this trilemma - like a dilemma but with three poles, eg. Good, Fast, Cheap: pick two

Example: Political Identity Modelling

1D Model

<text x=0 y=80% text-anchor="start">left</text> <text x=100 y=80% text-anchor="end">right</text>

2D Model

Layer 1 authoritarian libetarian left right

Thoughts

The addition of an extra dimension makes it possible to make a finer point about political identity. Something is gained; probably more than what is mentioned here.

Some clarity and simplicity is lost in adding this dimension. Something is lost; probably more than what is mentioned.

  • Can we go higher in dimension to gain (and possibly lose) more?

  • Can we make it easier to visualize and play with this?

    • it should be as easy as typing or sketching to create the visual
    • should be able to connect model into a modelling and simulation environment (and define that environment)
    • should be easy to increase dimensionality and reason about higher dimensions where visual model may fail

Misc: other models

Dungeons and Dragons

Layer 1 good evil lawful chaotic