Jump to first page Computationalism: The Very Idea David Davenport Bilkent University, Ankara 06533...
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Transcript of Jump to first page Computationalism: The Very Idea David Davenport Bilkent University, Ankara 06533...
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Computationalism: The Very Idea
David DavenportBilkent University,
Ankara 06533 – Turkey.Email: [email protected]
disclaimer(non-standard!)
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Introduction
Wealth of detail lacks solid
foundations Understand
the “big-picture” organising
principle -vocabulary
COMPUTATIONALISM
101
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Outline
Introduction What is Computation? What is Cognition? Is Computationalism correct? Issues
Meaning Symbols & Rules Representation Timing
Concluding Remarks
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Models…
Physical Replicas Answer questions Make predictions Implementation independent Observer-relative Cost, time,
difficulty of production
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Models… Abstract {computational} Answer questions,
make predictions! Map questions to answers
All equivalent
a=f(q)
a=r(s(s(t(q))))
a=u(v(q))
g=t(q)for 2 times h=s(g) g=ha=r(h)
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Implementation
Map states & seq. Find existing system Construct one anew Use digital computer
Rely on causation Program/algorithm/computation is
abstract spec. of causal system.
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What is Computation?
Answer questions, make predictions!
A function! Abstract, but physical implementation.
Program/algorithm/computation abstract spec. of causal system.
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Computation…
Targetsystem
Implementation
Abstraction
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Putnam’s Argument…
Explain & refute
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What is Computation?
About Prediction Program/algorithm/computation
abstract spec. of causal system. Concept is not vacuous! But, it is in the eye of the beholder
Interpretation State & system!
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What is Cognition?
Agents – parts of world Cognitive Agents use knowledge Prediction is the key! Models predict Choose most appropriate action
based on present situation, past experience, knowledge of effects of own actions.
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Computationalism
Can cognition be described or simulated by computations?
Different levels! Assuming
physical basis & occurs
elsewhere
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Computationalism
Is cognition literally computation?
Computation is part of cognition (the agent’s world model)
The rest, I/O, goals, matching & decision making mechanism?
Semantics? Subjective aspects…?
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Computationalism
Can the notion of computation help explain cognition?
Computation is clearly Of practical &
historic importance! Related to cognition Not vacuous!
Does lack semantics, timing & is not embedded, but…
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Meaning
Representations acquire it From other symbols?
Chinese Room Argument Foreign language dictionary
From causal links to environment? Symbol Grounding, but…
State has meaning for the agent If it has predictive value! May be wrong, unreal,
undemonstrated, etc.
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Symbols & Rules
Model viewed as formal system Symbols & rules may be
Innate or Learnt Primitive symbols
Disjunctions/Conjunctions Internal or External
Rules – logical mechanism!
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Representation
Symbolic, Connectionist,Dynamicist?
Functional accounts ofCognition & computation
Organisation/Implementation issue.
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Timing
Too quick Too slow Unstable!
Maybe time is sequence!
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Concluding Remarks Computationalism is right!
Computation, is about prediction Cognition, demands prediction
Computation - states representational
only to observer Cognition - states representational
to observer & for agent itself
(i.e. has predictive value.)
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PhysicalSystems
Cognitive
ActuallyComputingSystems
PotentiallyComputationalSystems
Classes of Systems