January 5, 2010

 Induction Swan 1 is white Swan 2 is white Swan 3 is white… All swans are white.  Sir Karl Popper ( ) Induction can’t prove theory All it takes is one black swan! falsifiability

 Thomas Samuel Kuhn ( ) Science not a linear process Paradigm shifts  Criteria for theory choice: Accuracy Consistency Scope Simplicity Fruitfulness

 Paul Feyerabend ( ) “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 ( ) Animal Intelligence Anecdotal accounts  C. Lloyd Morgan ( ) 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!)