1. September 14, 2010

2.  Induction Swan 1 is white Swan 2 is white Swan 3 is white… All swans are white.  Sir Karl Popper (1902-1994) Induction can’t prove theory All it takes is one black swan! falsifiability

3. Criticisms  No evidence of ‘black swans’ is NOT the same as evidence of no ‘black swans’ Absence of evidence vs evidence of absence  “Black Swan” events are relative to knowledge Surprising events may not be surprising for everyone  Application to cognitive processes?

4.  Thomas Samuel Kuhn (1922-1996) Science not a linear process Paradigm shifts  Criteria for theory choice: Accuracy Consistency Scope Simplicity Fruitfulness

5.  Paul Feyerabend (1924-1994) “anything goes“ Falsification is flawed due to implicit assumptions Tower argument

6.  Computational What does the system do and why does it do these things?  Algorithmic How does the system do what it does, specifically, what representations does it use, and what processes does it employ?  Implementational How is the system physically realized?

7. 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.Implementational What is the hardware? Microchip, abacus?

8. 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?

9.  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?

11. “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

12.  Darwin vs Wallace Does evolution apply to the mind?  George Romanes (1848- 1894) Animal Intelligence Anecdotal accounts  C. Lloyd Morgan (1852- 1936) Morgan’s canon Problem of anthropomorphism

13. The Behaviourist Approach  Influences from Pavlov, Thorndike, Watson, Skinner Focus on observable events Restrict Psychology to experimental methods

14.  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

15.  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

16.  Where is comparative cognition today?  Methods and approaches  Anthropomorphism  Discussion of readings Shettleworth, 2009 (state of Comparative Cognition) Wynne, 2007 (anthropomorphism)