This theory is a symbolic model. Any symbolic model has a limited number of
fundamental terms. For these terms and only for them, there are accepted
descriptive definitions. A descriptive definition is, usually, not precise
enough for a scientific approach. This lack of precision is due to the fact
that it uses terms which must be defined before. The terms used in the
definition must also be defined using already defined words. This process
seems to be endless.
In any positive science, the descriptive definitions are accepted only for a
very limited number of terms. These are called "fundamental terms".
For instance, in the symbolic model of Newton's Mechanics, the fundamental
terms are mass, space and time. None of these terms have a normal definition
(i.e. generated by the model). They have only descriptive definitions.
Once the fundamental terms are introduced by description, all the other terms
have normal definitions, which are generated by the symbolic model, by logical
and mathematical operations.
Let's see the definitions of the terms used by the MDT theory.
Model: this is a term used on large scale in science and technology. The MDT
theory accepts the definition used there.
A model means some fundamental elements and some fundamental relations between
the elements.
The elements could be of any type (physical objects, the representation of any
object in any form, including pictures of any type or images of any type or
mathematical symbols of any type and so on). In fact, an element could be
associated with anything which can be considered as an entity. The elements
have some properties, which must be specified somehow. There are a number of
relations between the elements, which must also be specified.
An image model (or analogic model) contains an unspecified number of elements
and an unspecified number of relations between the elements. An image model is
just given as it is. It is not possible to specify in explicit and precise
ways which are the elements and which are the relations.
Examples of image models: maps, models of an object of any type, an assembly
of such models including any material elements (water, air and so on), any
representation in any form of such elements.
A symbolic model uses as elements letters, numbers or words. The relations are
of logical or mathematical type.
The most important symbolic model is the General Communications Language
(GCL). The elements are usually nouns and the relations are usually verbs.
Warning: GCL is not really a symbolic model. The GCL just contains all the
elements and all the relations. When a symbolic model is made (a sentence, for
instance), elements and relations from GCL are used. Thus, because there is no
available word, I decided to consider, by extension, the GCL as a symbolic
model. In this frame, GCL has to be considered as "symbolic model".
Once a model given, it is possible to simulate some situations on it. For
simulation, a change must be made to the model. After that, the entire model
will be changed because all the elements have some relations between them.
Any implicit or explicit information which is generated by simulation by a
model, is called "truth". Any truth must be associated with the model, which
generated it. This is the definition of the term "truth" in the MDT theory.
All the information, which is or could be generated by a model by simulation,
is called "reality" associated to that model. This is the definition of the
term "reality" in the MDT theory. We also see here that before declaring the
reality, one needs to declare the model which generated it.
We already used the term "information". This term is a fundamental term. It
has no normal definition. MDT accepts the descriptive definition from common
life and from science. The same situation is for the term "entity".
Warning: in connection with the term "information", something is considered as
information after that "something" is processed somehow by a device which
takes and processes that "something".
This somehow confuse situation is normal for any fundamental term. Just think,
for instance, how one can explain what is "time". The only possibility to
explain what is "time" is to use examples that already use the term "time". In
fact it is impossible to define terms as "mass", "time", "space",
"information" or "entity".
Let's introduce two new terms: "harmony" and "logic".
Once a model is given, it is possible to make simulations on the model, as it
has already been explained. By simulation, it is necessary to change an
element or a relation. The model goes into a temporary unstable situation
because all the elements are connected between them. The model will evolve to
a new stable situation. For an image model, the evolution to stability is
based on harmony laws. For a symbolic model, the evolution to stability is
based on logic. Thus, a stable model is a harmonic or logic model and, after a
perturbation, the model will regain the stability based on the laws of harmony
(image models) or logic (symbolic models). The evolution of any model toward
stability (to become harmonic or logic) is also a basic hardware facility of
the brain.
Because some situations from external reality can be associated, sometimes,
with both types of models, there can be a corespondence between harmony and
logic.
Thus, the implicit definitions of the terms "harmony" and "logic" are
associated with the methods to regain the stability of an image model
(harmony) or symbolic model (logic). An "implicit definition" means that we
are able to recognize the effect of harmony or logic in an informational
structure.
We are now in the situation to present the basic hardware function of any
brain, based on the terms, which have already been defined.
The basic hardware function of any brain (human or animal) is to make models
associated to external reality and to predict, by simulation, the possible
evolutions of the model. Because the model is associated with external
reality, it is possible to predict by simulation some probable evolutions of
the external reality.
We already used the term "external reality" which is not defined yet. This
fundamental term is considered as a source of information, which is not
localized in the structure of models of the brain. I want to emphasize that
the external reality is not a source of information, but is just considered so
by any brain.
Thus, one of the main hardware functions of the brain is to make models of the
external reality and to predict, by simulation on the model, the possible
evolution of the associated external reality.
We already defined the reality as all the information which is or could be
generated by a model. This means that we understand the external reality by
the reality, which is generated by a model, which is associated with the
external reality.
Example: For a given external reality, any person makes an associated model.
Any person has his/her own model associated to the same external reality. We
think and act based on our own reality and not based directly on the external
reality.
In fact, external reality is rather an invention of the brain to explain its
structure of models.