Evolution, generative entrenchment and the bounds of rationality

Konrad Talmont-Kaminski

Marie Curie-Sklodowska University

Two issues Bounded rationality theory claims all

reasoning heuristic in nature Why should this be the case?

Hume’s problem of induction defines the field of possible epistemic processes, both for reasoning & evolution

What about development of new heuristics? Hume’s problem of induction forces development

of new heuristics to proceed by broadly evolutionary means

Bounded rationality

Heuristics all the way up Herbert Simon The Sciences of the

Artificial 3rd ed. 1996 Perfect rationality a bad model Satisficing not optimising

Heuristics Rules-of-thumb Heuristics all the way up Adaptations to scientific theories

Simple heuristics used outside bounded rationality Kahneman & Tversky Dual process accounts of reason

Fast, frugal, etc. Bill Wimsatt Re-engineering Philosophy of

Limited Beings 2007 Broad characterisation of heuristics

Fallible Frugal (and fast, too) Systematically biased Problem transforming Have specific uses Developed from other heuristics (Exapted)

Is it heuristics all the way up?

Hume & heuristics

Exaptation & heuristics Jerry-built products of evolution

Evolutionary history Building a Ferrari from a Morris MM Developmental pathways

Exaptation Using existing traits for new functions Feathers in dinosaurs and birds

Human reason Typical product of evolution Kahneman & Tversky studies Collection of heuristics

Is human reason bounded because of evolution?

Dual process accounts Jonathan Evans & others Heuristics

System 1 Evolutionarily old

Logical Thinking System 2 Evolutionarily new

Problem People do use logic Human reasoning is bounded

How does system 2 work?

Humean ‘dualism’? Hume’s 2 ‘systems’

Habits – heuristics Reasons – System 2

Hume – the original dual process theorist? No

Problem of induction 250 years of looking for solution Problem affects deductive reasoning, also

System 2, either Runs into problem of induction Heuristics that use logical features of environment

A naturalist Hume A different view of the problem of induction

Not a problem A basic epistemic limit Hume’s fact of reasoning

Heuristics are the response Heuristics wherever Hume’s ‘Problem’ Relevance to evolution?

Heuristics all the way down Evolution is back-ward looking

Adaptations suit previous environments Not necessarily future ones Environmental changes may lead to extinction

Arms races (cheetahs & gazelles)

Evolution short-sighted due to problem of induction Adaptations are also heuristics

Hume’s problem is the fundamental epistemic limit Determines what evolutionary processes possible Determines what cognitive processes possible

Open-endedness andgenerative entrenchment

Evolution & engineering Contrast between

Evolutionary processes Small changes Every step must be satisficing

Engineering projects Novel solutions Only end product satisfices

Evolutionary landscape Wheel

Evolutionary products more limited? In one sense, yes Most limits due to

Evolutionary histories Developmental paths

Open-ended bounded rationality Human reason bounded but open-ended

Develops and obtains new abilities Consists of a set of heuristics but

Develops new heuristics Exapts existing heuristics to novel functions

Open-endedness makes it possible to transcend particular limitations While still remaining bounded

Open-endedness key trait of evolution & cognition

Engineered systems either Closed ‘end-products’ and of little interest Open-ended

Step-wise development & GE Hume’s problem forces

Open-ended systems to develop in step-wise manner Generative entrenchment (GE)

Existing heuristics make new heuristics possible Wheel required for automobile

The more connections the more entrenched New transport systems & existing infrastructure

Human pyramid GE results from open-ended development

History/development paths significant for all open-ended systems

Development of open-ended engineered systems will have basic traits of evolutionary change

Evolution & artificiality Artificial systems

Etymological root - artifice Adapted to their environment

By evolution By engineers

Some traits explained in terms of environment Atrophy of eyes in cave animals Structure of the tire

Conclusions Hume’s ‘problem’ of ‘induction’

The basic epistemic limit Applies to all artificial systems

Forces the use of heuristics Limits how open-ended artificial systems can

develop Forces the use of evolutionary processes

One more pyramid

konrad@talmont.com http://deisidaimon.wordpress.com