Attractive and In-discrete

Author: Eliasmith C.

Source: Minds and Machines, Volume 11, Number 3, August 2001 , pp. 417-426(10)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

I argue that dynamicism does not provide a convincing alternative to currently available cognitive theories. First, I show that the attractor dynamics of dynamicist models are inadequate for accounting for high-level cognition. Second, I argue that dynamicist arguments for the rejection of computation and representation are unsound in light of recent empirical findings. This new evidence provides a basis for questioning the importance of continuity to cognitive function, challenging a central commitment of dynamicism. Coupled with a defense of current connectionist theory, these two critiques lead to the conclusion that dynamicists have failed to achieve their goal of providing a new paradigm for understanding cognition.

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: University of Waterloo, Department of Philosophy, Waterloo, Canada ON N2L 3G1; E-mail: eliasmith@uwaterloo.ca

Publication date: 2001-08-01