It is obvious that models can be evaluated by testing how they predict outcomes that are observed in real life scenarios. But not all models can be tested in that manner and some scenarios may not be so obvious as to be anticipated. Models, by their nature, are abstracts of reality. If they were an …
Tag Archive: abstraction
Knowledge Quadrants
We can divide knowledge into four general categories: Known knowns – this describes knowledge we have and we are aware that we have it Known unknowns – this describes knowledge we don’t have and we are aware that we don’t have it Unknown knowns – this describes knowledge that have but we are not aware …
Structural Differential by Korzybski
The Structural Differential is a modeling technique that shows how layers of abstraction relate to each other. It was patented by Alfred Korzybski in 1925. Simple Abstraction describes a single layer of abstraction, where a label represents an event. Normal semantics involves many layers of abstraction. It is important to know and to keep track …
Simple Abstraction
When we abstract something, we single out an individual element from a collection of elements and separate it as a mental construct. This usually involves finding some kind of pattern of similarity, but it also involves discriminating between similarities and noticing differences. Because a truly motionless object is rare in the extreme, most of what …