User:Virago250/Synchronic/diasynchronic view
Synchronic/diasynchronic view ... The synchronic vs diasynchronic view refers to how phenomena are viewed. The phenomena of interest is most often limited to social phenomena, but in fact, may extend to physical phenomena such as planetary motion. The distinction between synchronic vs diasynchronic viewpoints depends upon whether change or evolution is considered, or if change is not considered. Thus, the synchronic view is a static viewpoint, or the view of a single point in time. The diasynchronic viewpoint supports change, thus is a dynamic view (a view based upon many points of time). Of course, time may be viewed in many ways, such as discrete points, a continuum, etc. Although time is the most common parameter, location or position or place has often been the parameter of interest.
Relationship to logic
[edit]From the viewpoint of propositional logic, propositions are usually understood to be independent of time. Thus a synchronic viewpoint is compatible with a propositional logic. From the viewpoint of a predicate logic using quantifiers, propositional functions are the proper tool. Thus a predicate symbolized by "ζ" would appear as a monadic predicate function over time as "ζ(t)", while the monadic predicate over positions might appear as "ζ(p)". More complicated constructions such as the use of a diadic predicate function might appear as "ζ(t,p)". A few examples clarify the differences.
- Proposition "ζ" might be: "Slaves may not carry firearms." This is understood to be independent of time or place (true always and everywhere). Such a viewpoint is static or unchanging.
- Mondic predicate function "ζ(t)" might be: "Slaves during the t century may not carry firearms." This predicate function uses time "t" (time) and allows a viewpoint over many time positions. This allows a temporally dynamic viewpoint, as opposed to a temporally static viewpoint.
- Diadic predicate function "ζ" might be: "Slaves during the t century, in country p were not permitted to carry firearms." This predicate function uses time "t" (time) as well as location "p" and allows a viewpoint over many time positions as well as many locations. This allows a dynamic viewpoint, dynamic in time and location, as opposed to a temporally and topolocically static viewpoint.
Applications
[edit]Studies of social phenomena that are temporally dynamic allow social change to be examined. Thus applied to slavery, studies of comparative slavery are possible. Thus one could compare slave societies in the 17th century to slave societies in the 18th and 19th century. Alternatively, using "location", one could compare slave societies in different locations. Thus one could compare slave societies in the Caribbean, as opposed to slavery in Brazil. Using both time and location, comparative studies of slavery could be made in the Caribbean in the 17th century with Brazil in the 18th century. Formalizing the studies is not the point, rather the object is to allow social phenomena to change, as opposed to a viewpoint limited to unchanging or static phenomena.
Theoretical Considerations
[edit]Restrictions may be placed upon a dynamic viewpoint. For example, one might claim that other parameters than time and location are significant and must be considered. Perhaps triadic predicates should be used, such as "time", "location", "succeptability to disease". Thus "ζ(t, p, d)". Other generalizations might be to place restrictions upon time, such as time is a continuum and requiring that historical phenomena display continuity. The views of Lucy Dawidowicz come to mind. Racist theories can be categorised. Thus Lusotropicalism can be viwed as a racist theory based upon "location". Similarly, during the Crimean War, the typical European viewpoint was that peoples "South" of the Danube were "Asiatic" (inferior), while peoples "North" of the Danube were "European" (superior). This viewpoint is also a racist viewpoint based upon topology.