more from Robert Kirk

Single Idea 4998

[catalogued under 17. Mind and Body / E. Mind as Physical / 4. Connectionism]

Full Idea

In a connectionist system, information is represented not by sentences but by the total distribution of connection strengths.

Gist of Idea

Instead of representation by sentences, it can be by a distribution of connectionist strengths

Source

Robert Kirk (Mind and Body [2003], §7.6)

Book Reference

Kirk,Robert: 'Mind and Body' [Acumen 2003], p.149


A Reaction

Neither sentences (of a language of thought) NOR connection strengths strike me as very plausible ways for a brain to represent things. It must be something to do with connections, but it must also be to do with neurons, or we get bizarre counterexamples.