Postgraduate Thesis: Abduction and computation
| Title | Abduction and computation |
|---|---|
| Authors | Lie, Nga-sze. 李雅詩. |
| Issue Date | 2012 |
| Publisher | The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong) |
| Abstract | In the thesis, Fodor’s arguments against computationalism are defeated. His arguments appeal to syntactic constraints and intractability. We argue that arguments based on syntactic constraints are not satisfactory. We then argue that the argument via intractability is not satisfactory either. We also discuss various approaches to the problem of abduction in a computationalist setting. We argue that the social solution that human everyday cognitive activity is not isotropic and Quinean is correct. Secondly, we argue that the local solution is too preliminary a proposal. We give our objections concerning the calculation of the effect to effort ratio and the claim that memory organization leads one to relevant information. Thirdly, we argue that the natural language approach is circular. Fourthly, we arguedthat the web search approach provides a partial account of finding relevant information but leaves out the key problem of evaluating the search results. Fifthly, we argue that the global workspace approach relegates the most important part of the solution to consciousness. In the end, we give a framework sketching mechanisms that could solve the problem of abduction. |
| Advisors | Hawley, P Lau, JYF |
| Degree | Doctor of Philosophy |
| Subject | Abduction. Cognition. |
| Dept/Program | Philosophy |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Hawley, P |
|---|---|
| dc.contributor.advisor | Lau, JYF |
| dc.contributor.author | Lie, Nga-sze. |
| dc.contributor.author | 李雅詩. |
| dc.date.hkucongregation | 2012 |
| dc.date.issued | 2012 |
| dc.description.abstract | In the thesis, Fodor’s arguments against computationalism are defeated. His arguments appeal to syntactic constraints and intractability. We argue that arguments based on syntactic constraints are not satisfactory. We then argue that the argument via intractability is not satisfactory either. We also discuss various approaches to the problem of abduction in a computationalist setting. We argue that the social solution that human everyday cognitive activity is not isotropic and Quinean is correct. Secondly, we argue that the local solution is too preliminary a proposal. We give our objections concerning the calculation of the effect to effort ratio and the claim that memory organization leads one to relevant information. Thirdly, we argue that the natural language approach is circular. Fourthly, we arguedthat the web search approach provides a partial account of finding relevant information but leaves out the key problem of evaluating the search results. Fifthly, we argue that the global workspace approach relegates the most important part of the solution to consciousness. In the end, we give a framework sketching mechanisms that could solve the problem of abduction. |
| dc.description.nature | published_or_final_version |
| dc.description.thesisdiscipline | Philosophy |
| dc.description.thesislevel | doctoral |
| dc.description.thesisname | Doctor of Philosophy |
| dc.identifier.hkul | b4819928 |
| dc.language | eng |
| dc.publisher | The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong) |
| dc.relation.ispartof | HKU Theses Online (HKUTO) |
| dc.rights | The author retains all proprietary rights, (such as patent rights) and the right to use in future works. |
| dc.rights | Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License |
| dc.source.uri | http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B4819928X |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Abduction. |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Cognition. |
| dc.title | Abduction and computation |
| dc.type | PG_Thesis |