Epistemological Aspects of Computer Vision via Objectivism Lecture Slides by: Grosz Ori Bosco Gai

Epistemo- WHAT?! Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that studies knowledge. It attempts to answer the basic question: what distinguishes true (adequate) knowledge from false (inadequate) knowledge?

Why is Epistemology study important? Isn’t Philosophy a science for those who can’t do real science? Consider computer vision: –The field has not progressed much over the last decade. –Emulating the human eye seems almost impossible. –Computer vision scientists are frustrated with results that are far from perfect.

Why is Epistemology study important? “…Perhaps, computer vision research has indeed been painstakingly unproductive; or, perhaps, the working framework adopted by the research community is hopelessly flawed. " "A guided tour of computer vision", Vishvjit S. Nalwa

Example

Our Project Epistemological Aspects of Computer Vision: –Trying to study through philosophy the basics of computer vision, hoping to find the flaws that inhibit it. –Too many issues for one study. –Focus on: Consciousness and perception.

Epistemological Aspects of Computer Vision via Objectivism Objectivism: Objectivism is the name of a unique system of philosophy formulated by Ayn Rand and presented in her famous novels Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead.

Epistemological Aspects of Computer Vision via Objectivism Objectivism is an integrated, hierarchical system of philosophy, covering its 5 “classical” branches: metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, politics and esthetics. Its fundamental metaphysical and epistemological ideas are the ones relevant to our work: 1. Reality exists as an objective absolute—facts are facts, independent of man's feelings, wishes, hopes or fears. 2. Reason (the faculty which identifies and integrates the material provided by man's senses) is man's only means of perceiving reality, his only source of knowledge, his only guide to action, and his basic means of survival.

The Work Process Reading of relevant material Philosophizing Writing a paper: “On the need for an Epistemological Foundation for Biological and Computer Vision“

Results On the need for an Epistemological Foundation For Biological And Computer Vision Introduction The Philosophy of Materialism Consciousness The principle of reduction and its effects on science Vision and Intelligence The Epistemological Status of Visual Illusions

Conclusions READ OUR PAPER! Vision and intelligence are two entirely different phenomena. Achieving the ultimate goals of “computer vision” would require extensive knowledge of the nature of consciousness - knowledge which does not exist at present.