Mental models in cognitive science

摘要: If cognitive science does not exist then it is necessary to invent it. That slogan accommodates any reasonable attitude about the subject. One attitude-an optimistic one-is that already exists and alive flourishing in academe: we have all our different ways been doing for years. The gentleman Moliere’s play rejoiced discover he had speaking prose forty years without realizing it: perhaps are merely celebrating a similar discovery. And, if just keep going on same way, bound unravel workings of mind. Another attitude-my own-is more pessimistic: experimental psychology succeed unaided elucidating human mentality; artificial intelligence modelling mind; nor other discipline-linguistics, anthropology, neuroscience, philosophy-going greater success. ever understand cognition, need new dedicated aim based only part its contributing disciplines. Yet pessimism should be confused with cynicism. We reject view cognititie clever ruse dreamed up gain research funds-that nothing than six disciplines search grant-giving agency. Cognitive quite exist: precursors do, but lacks clear identity. Perhaps major function this conference concentrate minds what identity might be. At present, there appear two distinct ideas wrapped one topic-oriented, methodological. topic-oriented idea workers from several converged upon number central problems explanatory concepts. George Miller 1 became aware convergence when were caught toils