Computational theories of mind, and Fodor's analysis of neural network behaviour
The purpose of this paper is to examine critically Jerry Fodor's views of the limits of computational neural network approaches to understand intelligence. Fodor distinguishes between two different approaches to computationally modelling intelligence, and while he raises problems with both, he is more concerned with the approach taken by those who make use of neural network models of intelligence or cognition. Fodor's claims regarding neural networks are found wanting, and the implications of these shortcomings for computational modelling of cognition are discussed.
Keywords: Jerry Fodor; cognition; computation; connectionism; neural networks; semantics; syntax
Document Type: Research Article
Affiliations: Department of Philosophy, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada
Publication date: 01 June 2009
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