January 5, 2010

Induction• Swan 1 is white• Swan 2 is white• Swan 3 is white…• All swans are white.

Sir Karl Popper (1902-1994)• Induction can’t prove

theory• All it takes is one black

swan!• falsifiability

Thomas Samuel Kuhn (1922-1996)• Science not a linear

process• Paradigm shifts

Criteria for theory choice:• Accuracy • Consistency • Scope • Simplicity• Fruitfulness

Paul Feyerabend (1924-1994)• “anything goes“• Falsification is

flawed due to implicit assumptions

• Tower argument

Computational• What does the system do and why does it

do these things?

Algorithmic• How does the system do what it does,

specificially, what representations does it use, and what processes does it employ?

Implementational• How is the system physically realized?

1. Computational:

Take numerical inputs and use arithmetic to create new

representation; addition

2. Algorithmic

What representation is used – decimal system,

binary, other?

What steps are followed –

mathematical rules.

3. Computational

What is the hardware? Microchip, abacus?

1. Computational: combine distance and direction information to determine vector “home”

2. Algorithmic: how is this accomplished? Sun compass, count number of steps, calculation of angles?

3. Implementational: What part of the brain or nervous system is doing the calculating?

What is the relationship between these levels?

Do we need all the levels or does explanation in terms of a lower level obviate the need for a higher level?• Problem: Multiple realizability?

“the difference in mind between man and the higher animals, great as it is, certainly is one of degree and not of kind”• Darwin, The Descent of Man

Darwin vs Wallace• Does evolution apply to the

mind?

George Romanes (1848-1894)• Animal Intelligence• Anecdotal accounts

C. Lloyd Morgan (1852-1936)• Morgan’s canon• Problem of

anthropomorphism

The Behaviourist Approach Influences from Pavlov, Thorndike,

Watson, Skinner• Focus on observable events• Restrict Psychology to experimental

methods

American Approach• Strict behaviorism• Focus on “How”• Commonalities between species, building

blocks of cognition European Approach

• Ethology, e.g. Lorenz & imprinting• Focus on “Why”• Differences between species

1960’s: Brought the mind back into Psych

• Triggered to some degree by Chomsky’s critique of Skinner

• What happens inside the “black box”?

• Analogies like switchboards, computers

Where is comparative cognition today?

Methods and approaches

Evolution

Anthropomorphism

Discussion of 2 readings (will be posted online tomorrow!)