Computational explanation in neuroscience

Author: Piccinini, Gualtiero1

Source: Synthese, Volume 153, Number 3, December 2006 , pp. 343-353(11)

Publisher: Springer

Key:
Free Content - Free Content
New Content - New Content
Subscribed Content - Subscribed Content
Free Trial Content - Free Trial Content

Abstract:

According to some philosophers, computational explanation is proprietary to psychology—it does not belong in neuroscience. But neuroscientists routinely offer computational explanations of cognitive phenomena. In fact, computational explanation was initially imported from computability theory into the science of mind by neuroscientists, who justified this move on neurophysiological grounds. Establishing the legitimacy and importance of computational explanation in neuroscience is one thing; shedding light on it is another. I raise some philosophical questions pertaining to computational explanation and outline some promising answers that are being developed by a number of authors.

Keywords: Computational explanation; Mechanistic explanation; Computational neuroscience; Cognitive neuroscience; Theoretical neuroscience; Computationalism; Pancomputationalism; Computational theory of mind; Models; Representation; Introspection

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1007/s11229-006-9096-y

Affiliations: 1: Email: piccininig@umsl.edu

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$47.00 plus tax

 

OR

Back to top

Key:
Free Content - Free Content
New Content - New Content
Subscribed Content - Subscribed Content
Free Trial Content - Free Trial Content
Page Help Click here for Page Help
Shopping cart
Tools
Sign in






Need to register?
Sign up here
Text size: A | A | A | A