Cognition Is Not Computation: The Argument from Irreversibility

Authors: Bringsjord S.¹; Zenzen M.²

Source: Synthese, Volume 113, Number 2, November 1997 , pp. 285-320(36)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

The dominant scientific and philosophical view of the mind – according to which, put starkly, cognition is computation – is refuted herein, via specification and defense of the following new argument: Computation is reversible; cognition isn't; ergo, cognition isn't computation. After presenting a sustained dialectic arising from this defense, we conclude with a brief preview of the view we would put in place of the cognition-is-computation doctrine.

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Dept. of Philosophy, Psychology & Cognitive Science, Department of Computer Science, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy NY 12180, selmer@rpi.edu • http://www.rpi.edu/ sim brings brings "> 2: Dept. of Philosophy, Psychology & Cognitive Science, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, zenzem@rpi.edu