In the Circle of Sense and Nonsense Through a Mathematical Model of Meaning

In this article, the authors explore the relations and interactions between sense and nonsense with a threefold goal: (1) elaborations of formal definitions of these concepts; (2) investigation of the processes of making sense from nonsense; (3) establishment of the mathematical foundations for a sense-nonsense theory. The authors thus extend the dyad sense-nonsense by introducing the concept no-sense, situated between sense and nonsense, and by extending the concept sense to the concept poly-sense. The authors construct a mathematical model of these concepts and related processes using structures such as logical calculus, logical variety and logical prevariety. This approach accords with Leonardo da Vinci’s opinion that “no human investigation can claim to be scientific if it doesn’t pass the test of mathematical proof.”

Duke Scholars

Author William Seaman Art, Art History & Visual Studies