Know-Why

We know why coffee cools

Much is made of the mysterious directionality of thermodynamic time and its contrast to the near temporal symmetry of the underlying dynamical laws of Nature. I point out that if you are reasonably modest with respect to the ‘‘why’’ of this paper’s title, the answer is known and is not particularly complicated. The basic reason is that the universe is expanding (as first emphasized in this cont...

Emergent skills in higher education: From know-how to know-where, know-who, know-what, know-when and know-why

New models and strategies have been on trial for the advantage of emerging information and communication technologies over the last decades. Among these, a particular group of technologies impacts the way time and space constraints are now consider. Additionally, the information and knowledge society requires new skills to both the professional and the learner. In particular, considering a high...

Why Uninformed Agents (Pretend to) Know More

Why everyone should know number theory

Pythagoras’ dictum that ‘all is number’ is well-known. But my impression is that even practicing mathematicians are often not entirely aware of the thoroughness with which we have developed this very idea over the centuries in the formation of our world-view, from the evolution of the cosmos to the structure of elementary particles, and even in attempts to describe the ultimate nature of human ...

The Quest for Know-How, Know-Why, Know-What and Know-Who: Using KAOS for Enterprise Modelling

While the field of information systems engineering is largely focussed on developing methods for complex problems and larger enterprises, less is done to specifically address the needs of smaller organizations like small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), although they are important drivers of economy. These needs include a better understanding of the processes (knowhow), why things are done ...