Return to search

The mind as a predictive modelling engine : generative models, structural similarity, and mental representation

I outline and defend a theory of mental representation based on three ideas that I extract from the work of the mid-twentieth century philosopher, psychologist, and cybernetician Kenneth Craik: first, an account of mental representation in terms of idealised models that capitalize on structural similarity to their targets; second, an appreciation of prediction as the core function of such models; and third, a regulatory understanding of brain function. I clarify and elaborate on each of these ideas, relate them to contemporary advances in neuroscience and machine learning, and favourably contrast a predictive model-based theory of mental representation with other prominent accounts of the nature, importance, and functions of mental representations in cognitive science and philosophy.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:763724
Date January 2018
CreatorsWilliams, Daniel George
ContributorsHolton, Richard
PublisherUniversity of Cambridge
Source SetsEthos UK
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation
Sourcehttps://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/286067

Page generated in 0.0012 seconds