Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!sri-unix!rutgers!labrea!aurora!ames!sdcsvax!ucbvax!VAXA.ISI.EDU!smoliar From: smoliar@VAXA.ISI.EDU (Stephen Smoliar) Newsgroups: comp.ai.digest Subject: Re: Natural Kinds (Re: AIList Digest V5 #186) Message-ID: <8708181451.AA10362@vaxa.isi.edu> Date: Tue, 18-Aug-87 10:51:03 EDT Article-I.D.: vaxa.8708181451.AA10362 Posted: Tue Aug 18 10:51:03 1987 Date-Received: Tue, 25-Aug-87 00:48:54 EDT Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Distribution: world Organization: The ARPA Internet Lines: 32 Approved: ailist@stripe.sri.com In article <115@glenlivet.hci.hw.ac.uk> Gilbert Cockton writes: > >Whilst agreement on structure is possible by an appeal to sense-data >mediated by a culture's categories, agreement on function is less >likely. How do we know that an object has a function? Whilst the prime >use of a chair, is indeed for sitting on, this does not preclude it's >use for other functions - now don't these go back to structure? Or are >they related to intention (i.e. when someone hits you on the head with >a chair)? There seems to be a bit of confusion between that the function of a perceived object IS and what it CAN BE. There are very few concepts for which structure and/or function are unique. The point is that both serve to guide the classification of our perceptions. Thus, we may recognize a chair by its structural appearance. Having done so, we can then identify the surface upon which we should sit, how we should rest our back, where we can tuck our legs, and so forth. On the other hand, if I walk into a kitchen and see someone sitting on a step-stool, I recognize that he is using that step-stool as a chair. Thus, I have made a functional recognition, from which I conclude that he is using the top step as a seat, he is resting his legs on a lower seat, and he is managing without a back support. Thus, one can proceed from structural recognition to functional recognition or vice versa. This may be what Cockton means by "intention;" and it is most likely highly societal in nature. However, we must not confuse the issue. We do not classify our perceptions merely for the sake of classifying them but for the sake of interacting with them. Depending on my needs, I may choose to classify the chair at my dining room table as a place to sit while I eat, a place to stand while I change a light bulb, or a weapon with which to threaten (or attack) an intruder.