From unified to specific theories of cognition
This article discusses the unity of cognitive science that seemed to emerge in the 1950s, based on the computational view of cognition. This unity would entail that there is a single set of mechanisms (i.e. algorithms) for all cognitive behavior, in particular at the level of productive human cognit...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | deu |
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Mimesis Edizioni, Milano
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Rivista Internazionale di Filosofia e Psicologia |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.rifp.it/ojs/index.php/rifp/article/view/rifp.2023.0006 |
| _version_ | 1797730859001839616 |
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| author | Frank van der Velde |
| author_facet | Frank van der Velde |
| author_sort | Frank van der Velde |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article discusses the unity of cognitive science that seemed to emerge in the 1950s, based on the computational view of cognition. This unity would entail that there is a single set of mechanisms (i.e. algorithms) for all cognitive behavior, in particular at the level of productive human cognition as exemplified in language and reasoning. In turn, this would imply that theories in psychology, and cognitive science in general, would consist of algorithms based on symbol manipulation as found in digital computing. However, a number of developments in recent decades cast doubt on this unity of cognitive science. Also, there are fundamental problems with the claim that cognitive theories are just algorithms. This article discusses some of these problems and suggests that, instead of unified theories of cognition, specific mechanisms for cognitive behavior in specific cognitive domains could be needed, with architectures that are tailor-made for specific forms of implementation. A sketch of such an architecture for language is presented, based on modifiable connection paths in small-world like network structures. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T11:50:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1c21abcc8b5b4c008c5345a3228e8c4e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2039-4667 2239-2629 |
| language | deu |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T11:50:19Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | Mimesis Edizioni, Milano |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Rivista Internazionale di Filosofia e Psicologia |
| spelling | doaj.art-1c21abcc8b5b4c008c5345a3228e8c4e2023-08-31T08:57:44ZdeuMimesis Edizioni, MilanoRivista Internazionale di Filosofia e Psicologia2039-46672239-26292023-08-01141-2748710.4453/rifp.2023.0006From unified to specific theories of cognitionFrank van der VeldeThis article discusses the unity of cognitive science that seemed to emerge in the 1950s, based on the computational view of cognition. This unity would entail that there is a single set of mechanisms (i.e. algorithms) for all cognitive behavior, in particular at the level of productive human cognition as exemplified in language and reasoning. In turn, this would imply that theories in psychology, and cognitive science in general, would consist of algorithms based on symbol manipulation as found in digital computing. However, a number of developments in recent decades cast doubt on this unity of cognitive science. Also, there are fundamental problems with the claim that cognitive theories are just algorithms. This article discusses some of these problems and suggests that, instead of unified theories of cognition, specific mechanisms for cognitive behavior in specific cognitive domains could be needed, with architectures that are tailor-made for specific forms of implementation. A sketch of such an architecture for language is presented, based on modifiable connection paths in small-world like network structures.https://www.rifp.it/ojs/index.php/rifp/article/view/rifp.2023.0006connection pathscontrol of activationsmall-world networkssymbol manipulationunity of cognition |
| spellingShingle | Frank van der Velde From unified to specific theories of cognition Rivista Internazionale di Filosofia e Psicologia connection paths control of activation small-world networks symbol manipulation unity of cognition |
| title | From unified to specific theories of cognition |
| title_full | From unified to specific theories of cognition |
| title_fullStr | From unified to specific theories of cognition |
| title_full_unstemmed | From unified to specific theories of cognition |
| title_short | From unified to specific theories of cognition |
| title_sort | from unified to specific theories of cognition |
| topic | connection paths control of activation small-world networks symbol manipulation unity of cognition |
| url | https://www.rifp.it/ojs/index.php/rifp/article/view/rifp.2023.0006 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT frankvandervelde fromunifiedtospecifictheoriesofcognition |