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| 1 | +--- |
| 2 | +title: Quine |
| 3 | +tags: [math, computer science, philosophy, divulgation] |
| 4 | +style: fill |
| 5 | +color: success |
| 6 | +description: Quine programs and self-referential computing |
| 7 | +--- |
| 8 | + |
| 9 | + |
| 10 | + |
| 11 | +# Introduction |
| 12 | + |
| 13 | +[Quine (computing) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quine_(computing)) |
| 14 | + |
| 15 | +## Implementation |
| 16 | + |
| 17 | +### Writing a Quine Program in C++ |
| 18 | +```cpp |
| 19 | +``` |
| 20 | + |
| 21 | +## Non-formal Mathematical Intuition |
| 22 | + |
| 23 | +INSERT PDF |
| 24 | + |
| 25 | +Let's put the previous document in more accessible terms. The basic idea is that we are constructing a **"manual of instructions for generating mathematical knowledge."** |
| 26 | + |
| 27 | +### 1. Axiom as the Fundamental Basis |
| 28 | + |
| 29 | +_"Every formal deductive system contains at least one undefined primitive element."_ |
| 30 | + |
| 31 | +- Axioms are like the **atoms** of mathematical thought—truths accepted without proof. |
| 32 | +- Example in **Euclidean geometry**: _"A straight line can be drawn between any two points."_ |
| 33 | +- Similarly, axioms function like the **basic rules of a board game**—they are not questioned but accepted as a foundation. |
| 34 | + |
| 35 | +### 2. Theorem as an Epistemic Morphism |
| 36 | + |
| 37 | +_"A theorem is a morphism in the category of formal proofs [...]"_ |
| 38 | + |
| 39 | +- A **morphism** is a transformation between mathematical structures that preserves internal structure, like a recipe that converts ingredients into a cake while maintaining their essence. |
| 40 | +- **Domain (Axioms) → Codomain (Conclusions)**. Example: |
| 41 | + - **Axioms**: Arithmetic rules |
| 42 | + - **Theorem**: \( a + b = b + a \) (commutativity) |
| 43 | + - **Morphism**: The logical process that derives this new truth from basic rules. |
| 44 | +- The **commutativity of the logical diagram** ensures that regardless of the logical path taken, the same conclusion is reached. |
| 45 | + |
| 46 | +### 3. Lemma of Conceptual Self-Support |
| 47 | + |
| 48 | +_"For every formal system \( \Sigma \), there exists an injective function between definitions and theorems..."_ |
| 49 | + |
| 50 | +Breaking it down: |
| 51 | +- **Formal system (\( \Sigma \))**: A set of rules and symbols (like chess: pieces + movement rules). |
| 52 | +- **Injective function**: Each definition generates a unique theorem (like each key opens only one lock). |
| 53 | +- **\( \Sigma \cup \{ \Sigma \} \)**: A system that can describe itself (like a dictionary that includes the word "dictionary"). |
| 54 | + |
| 55 | +Example: |
| 56 | +- **Definition**: _Even number_ = integer divisible by 2 |
| 57 | +- **Generated theorem**: _The sum of two even numbers is even_ |
| 58 | +- The function \( \iota \) ensures that this theorem directly **emerges** from the definition. |
| 59 | + |
| 60 | +### 4. Principle of Methodological Reflection |
| 61 | + |
| 62 | +_"There exists an elementary embedding between a metamodel and its consistent extension."_ |
| 63 | + |
| 64 | +Discussion: |
| 65 | +- **Metamodel (𝔐)**: Like the blueprint of a building. |
| 66 | +- **Consistent extension (Con(𝔐))**: The actual constructed building, now including instructions for self-modification. |
| 67 | +- **Elementary embedding (j)**: Ensures that everything true in the blueprint remains true in the expanded structure. |
| 68 | + |
| 69 | +Example: Imagine a **video game that can modify itself while running**, without breaking its original rules. |
| 70 | + |
| 71 | +### 5. Fundamental Theorem of Self-Referential Exposition |
| 72 | + |
| 73 | +\[ \Sigma \vdash \text{Con}(E_{\Sigma}) \leftrightarrow \text{Con}(\Sigma) \] |
| 74 | + |
| 75 | +- **\( \Sigma \)**: Your mathematical theory (e.g., number theory) |
| 76 | +- **\( \text{Con}(\Sigma) \)**: "\( \Sigma \) does not allow contradictions" |
| 77 | +- **\( E_{\Sigma} \)**: A user manual for \( \Sigma \) that includes instructions on how to use \( \Sigma \) |
| 78 | +- **Equivalence**: If your theory is consistent, then its **"user manual"** is also consistent, and vice versa, avoiding the direct self-reference that Gödel blocks in his **Incompleteness Theorem**. |
| 79 | + |
| 80 | +The act of explaining a mathematical theory does not introduce errors **if the original theory was solid.** |
| 81 | + |
| 82 | +### 6. Corollary of Structural Integrity |
| 83 | + |
| 84 | +\[ E_{\text{Comp}}(E) = E_{\text{Prof}}(E) \otimes E_{\text{Clar}}(E) \] |
| 85 | + |
| 86 | +- **\( E_{\text{Comp}} \)**: Overall quality of exposition |
| 87 | +- **\( E_{\text{Prof}} \)**: Technical depth |
| 88 | +- **\( E_{\text{Clar}} \)**: Expository clarity |
| 89 | +- **\( \otimes \)**: Harmonic combination (not a simple sum) |
| 90 | + |
| 91 | +Analogous to **Einstein’s equation** \( E = mc^2 \), where the quality of exposition arises from the interaction between: |
| 92 | +- **Mass (depth)** |
| 93 | +- **Light (clarity)** |
| 94 | + |
| 95 | +### 7. The Quinean System (Final Observation) |
| 96 | + |
| 97 | +**Key Concept:** |
| 98 | + |
| 99 | +- **Coherent self-reference**: The document uses the concepts it defines, creating a **loop of validity.** |
| 100 | + |
| 101 | +- **Literary example**: A novel where the protagonist writes the novel you are reading. |
| 102 | + |
| 103 | +### Logical Guarantee |
| 104 | +Consistency emerges from the relationship between: |
| 105 | + |
| 106 | +- **Syntax**: How symbols are written |
| 107 | +- **Semantics**: What those symbols mean |
| 108 | + |
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