?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rft.title=Continuous+Computation+and+the+Emergence+of+the+Discrete&rft.creator=MacLennan%2C+Bruce+J.&rft.subject=Artificial+Intelligence&rft.subject=Neural+Modelling&rft.description=This+paper+argues+that+the+foundation+of+expertise+and+skillful+behavior+is+knowledge+represented+as+a+structured+continuum+as+opposed+to+a+discrete+structure.+The+reason+is+that+continuous+knowledge+representation+permits+more+flexible+behavior+and+avoids+failures+due+to+brittleness.+As+a+consequence+it+is+crucial+that+we+understand+the+principles+of+continuous+representation+so+that+they+can+be+applied+in+artificial+intelligence+and+neuroscience.+To+this+end+I+have+compared+and+contrasted+continuous+(%60%60analog'')+and+discrete+(%60%60digital'')+computation%2C+and+have+suggested+a+theoretical+framework+(simulacra)+for+continuous+representations.+This+theoretical+framework+was+used+to+characterize+several+kinds+of+invariance+that+occur+in+natural+and+artificial+systems%2C+including+as+special+cases+such+psychologically+significant+invariances+as+symmetry+groups+and+other+algebraic+invariances+involved+in+object+perception.+Several+ways+of+quantifying+degree+of+invariance+are+noted+since+quantification+is+a+necessary+prerequisite+to+understanding+the+emergence+of+algebraic+structure+in+perceptual+and+cognitive+processes.+The+paper+reviews+several+simple+mechanisms%2C+based+on+correlational+learning%2C+that+lead+to+the+emergence+of+invariances.+Finally%2C+it+describes+metric+correlation%2C+a+generalization+of+the+familiar+correlation+and+convolution+operations%2C+which+accomplishes+transform+invariant+pattern+recognition.&rft.publisher=Lawrence+Erlbaum%2C+Hillsdale%2C+NJ&rft.contributor=Pribram%2C+Karl&rft.date=1994&rft.type=Book+Chapter&rft.type=NonPeerReviewed&rft.format=application%2Fpostscript&rft.identifier=http%3A%2F%2Fcogprints.org%2F540%2F2%2FCCED-tr.ps&rft.identifier=++MacLennan%2C+Bruce+J.++(1994)+Continuous+Computation+and+the+Emergence+of+the+Discrete.++%5BBook+Chapter%5D+++++&rft.relation=http%3A%2F%2Fcogprints.org%2F540%2F