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Questions and Answers

According to the Physical Symbol System Hypothesis, what is the essential requirement for a system to be classified as 'intelligent'?

  • The system must possess a biological brain.
  • The system must be capable of experiencing emotions.
  • The system must be able to perform complex mathematical calculations faster than humans.
  • The system must be a Physical Symbol System. (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a key aspect of a Physical Symbol System (PSS)?

  • Symbols that are physically represented.
  • The capacity for self-representation using symbols.
  • The ability to represent complex mathematical equations. (correct)
  • Processes for manipulating symbols and structures.

In the Computational Theory of Mind, what does the 'algorithmic level' primarily address?

  • The emotional state of the system during computation.
  • The specific physical structures implementing the cognitive process.
  • The overall function being computed by the mind.
  • The procedures and representational codes used to solve problems. (correct)

Which level in the Computational Theory of Mind is primarily concerned with neuroscience?

<p>Implementation level (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of mental process is parsing a sentence, according to the principles of Physical Symbol Systems?

<p>A computation involving operations like copying, deleting, and pasting symbols. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of 'primitive processors' in the context of functional decomposition?

<p>They mark the point where analysis shifts to the natural sciences to understand physical realization. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does functional decomposition involve?

<p>Breaking down a cognitive process into subcomponents for computational and algorithmic analysis. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Marr's primal sketch align with the Physical Symbol System framework?

<p>It demonstrates how visual processing involves applying rules and assumptions to derive representations from luminance values. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the Physical Symbol System (PSS) Hypothesis, which statement is true regarding intelligent systems?

<p>Intelligent systems must be PSSs, and PSSs alone are sufficient for intelligence. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Cummins' Tower Bridge of Computation, what role do representations play in the process?

<p>Representations serve to mediate between inputs, algorithms, and outputs, defining how information is structured and processed. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a function can be computed by a Turing Machine, what can we conclude about its computability?

<p>The function is computable, but not all computers are Turing Machines. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes classical cognitive architectures from connectionist architectures?

<p>Classical architectures rely on traditional symbol manipulation, whereas connectionist architectures use neural network approaches. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do symbols contribute to the productivity and systematicity of thought?

<p>Symbols allow for the creation of endless representations from a limited set, facilitating complex and novel thoughts. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the Language of Thought Hypothesis, how do physical symbol systems relate to mental states and behavior?

<p>Physical symbol systems represent mental states and influence behavior through structured, meaningful arrangements. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean for a Universal Turing Machine to 'compute any computable function'?

<p>Given the correct program, it can execute any algorithm that can be computed. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If mental functions can be decomposed to primitive processors understood as physical systems, what does this imply about the nature of cognition?

<p>Cognition can be explained in terms of physical processes and computational steps. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Physical Symbol System Hypothesis

The idea that a physical symbol system is necessary and sufficient for intelligent action.

Components of Physical Symbol System

Symbols, complex symbol structures, symbol manipulation processes, and self-representation make up a PSS.

Computational Theory of Mind

The theory that equates the mind to a computer and examines its processes at three levels.

Three Levels of Mind Understanding

Computational, Algorithmic, and Implementation levels explain how the mind functions.

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The +1 Machine

A basic example of a PSS that takes an input number and adds 1 to it.

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Functional Decomposition

The process of breaking down a cognitive process into smaller, analyzable components.

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Primitive Processors

Basic components of cognitive processes that cannot be further decomposed.

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Example: Language Understanding

Language can be decomposed into processes like word recognition and syntax recognition.

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Algorithm

A step-by-step procedure for calculations or problem-solving.

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Computable Function

A function that can be calculated by an algorithm or Turing Machine.

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Turing Machine

A theoretical device that can simulate any algorithm's logic.

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PSS Hypothesis

The theory suggesting that symbol manipulation is sufficient for intelligence.

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Mental Processor

Primitive processing units that execute mental functions.

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Language of Thought

The concept that thought processes can be represented symbolically.

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Syntax vs. Semantics

Syntax refers to symbol structure, while semantics refers to meanings.

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Productivity and Systematicity

The ability to create infinite representations from finite symbols.

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Study Notes

Classical Architectures: Physical Symbol Systems (PSS)

  • The Physical Symbol System Hypothesis proposes that a physical symbol system is necessary and sufficient for intelligent action.
  • Intelligence is explained as computation using symbols.
  • Necessity Claim: Intelligent systems must be physical symbol systems.
  • Sufficiency Claim: Physical symbol systems are sufficient for intelligence.
  • Key Aspects of a Physical Symbol System:
    • Symbols: Physical patterns representing concepts or ideas.
    • Complex Symbol Structures: Symbols can be combined to create complex representations.
    • Symbol Manipulation Processes: Processes exist to manipulate these symbols and structures (e.g., combining, transforming).
    • Self-Representation: The systems' internal processes of representing and manipulating symbols are themselves represented within the system.

The Computational Theory of Mind

  • This theory asserts that the mind operates like a computer.
  • Understanding the mind requires analyzing it at different levels:
    • Computational Level: Determining the function being computed.
    • Algorithmic Level: Identifying the procedures and representational codes used to solve problems.
    • Implementation Level: Analyzing the physical mechanisms (e.g., brain structures) that carry out the computations.

Examples of PSS

  • The +1 Machine: A simple example demonstrating symbol manipulation (input number, add 1, output result.)
  • Syntax as Computation: Parsing sentences can be modeled as a PSS, involving operations like copying, deleting, and pasting symbols (words).
  • Marr's Primal Sketch: A visual processing model, viewed as a PSS, analyzing luminance values to generate representations like edges.

Functional Decomposition & Primitive Processors

  • Functional Decomposition: Breaking down cognitive processes into smaller sub-components for computational analysis.
  • The process continues until reaching primitive processors (cannot be further decomposed computationally.)
  • At this level, understanding shifts to natural sciences (neuroscience) to explain the physical implementation of those functions.
  • Example: Multiplication decomposes into addition; language understanding decomposes into word recognition, syntax recognition, parsing, and semantic interpretation, ultimately reaching fundamental operations like AND gates.

Key Points to Remember

  • An algorithm computes a function by mapping input representations to output values.
  • Not all functions are computable.
  • Any computable function can be computed by a Turing Machine, but not all computers are Turing Machines.
  • A Universal Turing Machine can execute any computable function with the proper instructions.
  • The PSS Hypothesis suggests symbol manipulation suffices for intelligence—the mind as a physical symbol system.
  • Mental functions can be decomposed into primitive processors — ultimately physically realizable (e.g., AND gates.)

The Tower Bridge of Computation

  • Cummins (1996) proposed a model visualizing different levels of computational analysis (input, representation, algorithm, output).
  • Visually summarizes how these levels relate and interact.

Cognitive Architectures: The Language of Thought

  • Cognitive Architectures: Frameworks for understanding the mind's structure and function.
  • Classical vs. Connectionist Architectures: Compare traditional symbol manipulation with neural network approaches.
  • Language of Thought: Examining whether machines can genuinely think, considering whether symbol manipulation is sufficient to achieve thought.
  • Symbol Manipulation: Physical symbols represent mental states, guiding behavior.
    • Physical Symbol Systems (PSS):
      • Necessity: Intelligent systems must be PSSs.
      • Sufficiency: PSSs alone are sufficient for intelligence.
    • Key figures: Allen Newell & Herbert Simon.
  • The Role of Symbols:
    • Symbols are the foundational units of mental representation.
    • Syntax vs. Semantics: Distinguish between the structure and meaning of symbols.
    • Symbols allow for infinite thought, based on systematic combinations.
  • Causation and Meaning: Examines how beliefs, desires, and actions are logically interconnected and related to symbolic meaning.
  • Summary Points:
    • Mental state explanations rely on understanding symbolic meanings.
    • Productivity and Systematicity: Limited symbols generate endless mental representations.

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