formalmente (in this context)

English translation: in formal terms / formally / in terms of its form

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Spanish term or phrase:	formalmente (in this context)
English translation:	in formal terms / formally / in terms of its form
Entered by:	patyjs

18:42 Feb 18, 2016

Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Philosophy

Spanish term or phrase: formalmente (in this context)

This is from a paper on the hypothesis of the predictive brain. I have 3 questions regarding this paragraph, which I will post separately. The English parts are from the author. My draft is below. In this case I chose to omit it because it seems to make sense without and I can't find a suitable translation for the way I understand it, which is correctly, or properly.

Clark se pregunta how mere matter manages to give rise to the whole smorgasbord of mentality, emotion, and intelligent action. Ya no es sólo que el problema de la vida señalado por Friston –mantener la integridad vs la entropía– esté como una condición de posibilidad de ese whole smorgasbord, ni tampoco es sólo que el problema de la percepción, tan caro para Hohwy, se presente de forma prácticamente equivalente en cada uno de los componentes de ese whole smorgasbord. Lo que tenemos ahora es que la sola presencia de esa multiplicidad de capacidades ya representa un verdadero problema en sí mismo. Si se quiere, **formalmente** es el mismo problema que el planteado por Friston –mantener la integridad en la multiplicidad– pero por su contenido no parece que pueda reducirse al de resistir la segunda ley de la termodinámica.

Clark asks how mere matter manages to give rise to the whole smorgasbord of mentality, emotion, and intelligent action. It is not just that the life problem that concerned Friston—maintaining integrity vs entropy—is a condition of possibilty of the whole smorgasbord, nor is it just that the problem of perception, so dear to Hohwy, presents in practically the same way across each of the components of the whole smorgasbord. What we have now is that the mere presence of this multiplicity of capabilities represents a real problem in itself. If you will, it is the same question posed by Friston—maintaining integrity in multiplicity—but due to its content appears not to be reducible to resisting the second law of thermodynanics.

Many thanks.

patyjs KudoZ activity Questions: 411 (5 open) (7 without valid answers) (42 closed without grading) Answers: 450 Mexico
Local time: 02:25

in formal terms / formally / in terms of its form

Explanation:
Phil is right to say that this means that its form is the same, but quite wrong to suggest that this means it is so similar as to be identical. It doesn't mean that at all; it simply means that its form is the same. You might as well say (the analogy is obviously not perfect) that if two pieces of music have the same form they are identical, but this is not true at all; if the notes are different they are not even very similar.

The author goes on to say that its content is different. This contrast between form and content must surely be reflected in the translation. You could actually say "formally", one of whose meanings is:

"3 [sentence adverb] In outward form or appearance; in theory:
the theorems in question are formally true
3.1 In terms of form or structure: formally complex types of text"
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_eng...

However, I think "in formal terms" or "in terms of its form" would make it clearer to most readers. But unless form is mentioned somehow, to contrast with content, the author's point is lost.

Selected response from:

Charles Davis
Spain
Local time: 10:25

Grading comment

Many thank Charles.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

4 +3

in formal terms / formally / in terms of its form

Charles Davis

4 +1

formally

Lisa Jane

effectively

philgoddard

in form

Maria Alcorta

[omit it] OR: it is viritually the same problem

Muriel Vasconcellos

Discussion entries: 2

Answers

34 mins confidence:

formalmente effectively

Explanation:
Or basically, or essentially. Or you could say "the same kind/type of question"

I think formalmente means its form is the same, in other words it's so similar as to be almost identical.

philgoddard
United States
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 32

55 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +3

in formal terms / formally / in terms of its form

Charles Davis
Spain
Local time: 10:25
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 56

Grading comment

Many thank Charles.

56 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

formally

Explanation:
in philosophical questions it is common to go with formally-espescially as here it is contrasted with the content of such a question

eg:
The criterial question here will be: Can a programmed computer catch on to a joke? As I hope to make clear, this is analogous to (and perhaps formally identical to...

‎Philosophy
According to the first correlation, the laws which pertain to the thought that has the possibility of intuitive fulfillment are formally identical to the laws which govern ...

There are many more examples to be found in philosophical texts

Lisa Jane
Italy
Local time: 10:25
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English,

Italian
PRO pts in category: 8

1 hr confidence:

in form

Explanation:
in form, but not in content, is how I understand the sentence

So:
"If you will, in form it is the same question as that posed by Friston - maintaining integrity in multiplicity - but due to its content it appears that it cannot be reduced to resisting the second law of thermodynamics."

Maria Alcorta
Netherlands
Local time: 10:25
Native speaker of:

English,

Spanish

5 hrs confidence:

[omit it] OR: it is viritually the same problem

Explanation:
I think it's being used as a "hedge" (see below) and your 'If you will' ... largely (another hedge) covers the intent. So you might use 'virtually' - another hedge. The interesting thing about 'virtually' is that it ultimately implies vagueness. 'Literally' can also serve as a hedge to convey the opposite meaning, though not as often. It's saying 'when you think about it, it's pretty much the same'. If you hadn't used the hedge, you would have assumed the literal meaning of the statement. (All these hedge words can also be used in the literal sense; context is everything.)

Definition of "hedge" in linguistics:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedge_(linguistics)
Wikipedia
A hedge is a mitigating word or sound used to lessen the impact of an utterance. Typically, they are adjectives or adverbs, but can also consist of clauses.

Muriel Vasconcellos
United States
Local time: 01:25
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 16

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