september 14, 2010. induction swan 1 is white swan 2 is white swan 3 is white… all swans are...
TRANSCRIPT
Induction• Swan 1 is white• Swan 2 is white• Swan 3 is white…• All swans are white.
Sir Karl Popper (1902-1994)• Induction can’t prove
theory• All it takes is one black
swan!• falsifiability
Criticisms No evidence of ‘black swans’ is NOT
the same as evidence of no ‘black swans’• Absence of evidence vs evidence of absence
“Black Swan” events are relative to knowledge• Surprising events may not be surprising for
everyone
Application to cognitive processes?
Thomas Samuel Kuhn (1922-1996)• Science not a linear
process• Paradigm shifts
Criteria for theory choice:• Accuracy • Consistency • Scope • Simplicity• Fruitfulness
Paul Feyerabend (1924-1994)• “anything goes“• Falsification is
flawed due to implicit assumptions
• Tower argument
Computational• What does the system do and why does it
do these things?
Algorithmic• How does the system do what it does,
specifically, what representations does it use, and what processes does it employ?
Implementational• How is the system physically realized?
1. Computational:
Take numerical inputs and use arithmetic to create new
representation; addition
2. Algorithmic
What representation is used – decimal system, binary,
other?
What steps are followed –
mathematical rules.
3.Implementation
al
What is the hardware?
Microchip, abacus?
1. Computational: combine distance and direction information to determine vector “home”
2. Algorithmic: how is this accomplished? Sun compass, count number of steps, calculation of angles?
3. Implementational: What part of the brain or nervous system is doing the calculating?
What is the relationship between these levels?
Do we need all the levels or does explanation in terms of a lower level obviate the need for a higher level?• Problem: Multiple realizability?
“the difference in mind between man and the higher animals, great as it is, certainly is one of degree and not of kind”• Darwin, The Descent of Man
Darwin vs Wallace• Does evolution apply to the
mind?
George Romanes (1848-1894)• Animal Intelligence• Anecdotal accounts
C. Lloyd Morgan (1852-1936)• Morgan’s canon• Problem of
anthropomorphism
Influences from Pavlov, Thorndike, Watson, Skinner• Focus on observable events• Restrict Psychology to experimental
methods
American Approach• Strict behaviorism• Focus on “How”• Commonalities between species, building
blocks of cognition European Approach
• Ethology, e.g. Lorenz & imprinting• Focus on “Why”• Differences between species
1960’s: Brought the mind back into Psych
• Triggered to some degree by Chomsky’s critique of Skinner
• What happens inside the “black box”?
• Analogies like switchboards, computers