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Connectionism Reconsidered: Minds, Machines and Models

Berkeley, Istvan (1998) Connectionism Reconsidered: Minds, Machines and Models. [Preprint]

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Abstract

In this paper the issue of drawing inferences about biological cognitive systems on the basis of connectionist simulations is addressed. In particular, the justification of inferences based on connectionist models trained using the backpropagation learning algorithm is examined. First it is noted that a justification commonly found in the philosophical literature is inapplicable. Then some general issues are raised about the relationships between models and biological systems. A way of conceiving the role of hidden units in connectionist networks is then introduced. This, in combination with an assumption about the way evolution goes about solving problems, is then used to suggest a means of justifying inferences about biological systems based on connectionist research.

Item Type:Preprint
Keywords:Connectionism, backpropogation, cognitive modeling, model validation
Subjects:Philosophy > Philosophy of Mind
Computer Science > Neural Nets
Philosophy > Philosophy of Science
ID Code:1975
Deposited By: Berkeley, Istvan
Deposited On:06 Jun 2003
Last Modified:11 Mar 2011 08:54

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