| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Vieira, Vilson
;
Fabbri, Renato
;
Travieso, Gonzalo
;
Oliveira, Osvaldo N., Jr.
;
Costa, Luciano da Fontoura
Total Authors: 5
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | JOURNAL OF STATISTICAL MECHANICS-THEORY AND EXPERIMENT; v. N/A, p. 18-pg., 2012-08-01. |
| Abstract | |
The development of new statistical and computational methods is increasingly making it possible to bridge the gap between hard sciences and humanities. In this study, we propose an approach based on a quantitative evaluation of attributes of objects in fields of humanities, from which concepts such as dialectics and opposition are formally defined mathematically. As case studies, we analyzed the temporal evolution of classical music and philosophy by obtaining data for 8 features characterizing the corresponding fields for 7 well-known composers and philosophers, which were treated with multivariate statistics and pattern recognition methods. A bootstrap method was applied to avoid statistical bias caused by the small sample data set, with which hundreds of artificial composers and philosophers were generated, influenced by the 7 names originally chosen. Upon defining indices for opposition, skewness and counter-dialectics, we confirmed the intuitive analysis of historians in that classical music evolved according to a master apprentice tradition, while in philosophy changes were driven by opposition. Though these case studies were meant only to show the possibility of treating phenomena in humanities quantitatively, including a quantitative measure of concepts such as dialectics and opposition, the results are encouraging for further application of the approach presented here to many other areas, since it is entirely generic. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 05/00587-5 - Mesh (graph) modeling and techniques of pattern recognition: structure, dynamics and applications |
| Grantee: | Roberto Marcondes Cesar Junior |
| Support Opportunities: | Research Projects - Thematic Grants |