1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910299726103321

Autore

Fresco Nir

Titolo

Physical computation and cognitive science / / Nir Fresco

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Heidelberg [Germany] : , : Springer, , 2014

ISBN

3-642-41375-7

Edizione

[1st ed. 2014.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (xxii, 229 pages) : illustrations

Collana

Studies in Applied Philosophy, Epistemology and Rational Ethics, , 2192-6255 ; ; 12

Disciplina

006.3

Soggetti

Computational intelligence

Cognitive science

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

"ISSN: 2192-6255."

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references.

Nota di contenuto

Setting the Stage: Computation in Cognitive Science -- An Analysis of the Adequacy Criteria for Evaluating Accounts of Computation -- Starting at the Beginning: Turing’s Account Examined -- The Triviality “Account” Examined -- Semantic Accounts of Computation Examined -- Computation as Information Processing -- Causal and Functional Accounts of Computation Examined -- Computation Revisited in the Context of Cognitive Science.

Sommario/riassunto

This book presents a study of digital computation in contemporary cognitive science. Digital computation is a highly ambiguous concept, as there is no common core definition for it in cognitive science. Since this concept plays a central role in cognitive theory, an adequate cognitive explanation requires an explicit account of digital computation. More specifically, it requires an account of how digital computation is implemented in physical systems. The main challenge is to deliver an account encompassing the multiple types of existing models of computation without ending up in pancomputationalism, that is, the view that every physical system is a digital computing system. This book shows that only two accounts, among the ones examined by the author, are adequate for explaining physical computation. One of them is the instructional information processing account, which is developed here for the first time.   “This book provides a thorough and timely analysis of differing accounts of computation while advancing the important role that information plays



in understanding computation. Fresco’s two-pronged approach will appeal to philosophically inclined computer scientists who want to better understand common theoretical claims in cognitive science.” Marty J. Wolf, Professor of Computer Science, Bemidji State University   “An original and admirably clear discussion of central issues in the foundations of contemporary cognitive science.” Frances Egan, Professor of Philosophy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey  .