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In Defense of Representational Explanations for Connectionist Systems

Lamb, Maurice J.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1274290859

Abstract Details

2010, Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, Philosophy (Arts and Sciences).
In Representation Reconsidered, William Ramsey claims that the physical structures described in representational terms by newer cognitive theories, e.g. connectionism and dynamic systems theory, aren't actually functioning as representations. As it turns out, connectionist systems should not be given representational explanations because representational theories applied to these systems do not meet Ramsey's job description challenge. In this paper I respond to his claims that teleological theories, such as those proposed by Fred Dretske and Ruth Millikan, do not provide adequate conceptual motivation for treating certain states as representations. I argue that Ramsey's analysis of representation in connectionist systems is incomplete and ultimately overlooks the strengths of Millikan's theory and its importance to this debate. These shortcomings stem from 1) Ramsey's reliance on a weak analogy between on Dretske and Millikan's theories and 2) his cursory rebuttal of Millikan's theory. I show this by revisiting Ramsey's objections to Dretske's theory as applied to connectionism and explaining how these objections are not applicable to Millikan's theory as applied to connectionism.
Robert Briscoe, PhD (Committee Chair)
Wendy Parker, PhD (Committee Member)
Scott Carson, PhD (Committee Member)
92 p.
Philosophy
Millikan, Ruth; Ramsey, William; representation; connectionism; connectionist; NETtalk; explanation; cognitive science; rabbits; Dretske, Fred; mental representation

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Lamb, M. J. (2010). In Defense of Representational Explanations for Connectionist Systems [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1274290859

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Lamb, Maurice. In Defense of Representational Explanations for Connectionist Systems. 2010. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1274290859.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Lamb, Maurice. "In Defense of Representational Explanations for Connectionist Systems." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1274290859

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1274290859
747
© 2010, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.