second-primitive-equation

The second fundamental equation derived by substitution, requiring one primary state to be nameless.

1 chapter across 1 book

Laws of Form (1969)G. Spencer Brown

CHAPTER 2 Substituting, we find which is the second primitive equation. The condition that one of the primary states shall be nameless is mandatory for this elimination. The first primitive equation can also be derived a different way. Imagine a blind animal able only to distinguish inside from outside. A space with what appears to us as a number of distinct insides and one outside, such as oe). will appear to it, upon exploration, to be indistinguishable from The ideas described in the text at this point do not go beyond what this animal can find out for itself, and so in its world, such as it is, 83

Chapter 2 introduces the second primitive equation derived through substitution and emphasizes the necessity of having one primary state remain nameless for this elimination. The chapter uses the metaphor of a blind animal that can only distinguish inside from outside to illustrate the limits of perception and distinction, highlighting that certain distinctions are fundamentally indistinguishable from the animal's perspective. It also reflects on the foundational act of drawing a distinction, noting the collapse of active and passive roles and the primitive nature of this operation.