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A brief introduction to the guidance theory of representation

Rosenberg, Dr. Gregg and Anderson, Dr. Michael L. (2004) A brief introduction to the guidance theory of representation. [Conference Paper]

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Abstract

Recent trends in the philosophy of mind and cognitive science can be fruitfully characterized as part of the ongoing attempt to come to grips with the very idea of homo sapiens--an intelligent, evolved, biological agent--and its signature contribution is the emergence of a philosophical anthropology which, contra Descartes and his thinking thing, instead puts doing at the center of human being. Applying this agency-oriented line of thinking to the problem of representation, this paper introduces the Guidance Theory, according to which the content and intentionality of representations can be accounted for in terms of the way they provide guidance for action. We offer a brief account of the motivation for the theory, and a formal characterization.

Item Type:Conference Paper
Keywords:reference, mental content, action
Subjects:Philosophy > Philosophy of Language
Biology > Animal Cognition
Philosophy > Philosophy of Mind
Computer Science > Artificial Intelligence
ID Code:3952
Deposited By: Anderson, Dr. Michael
Deposited On:20 Nov 2004
Last Modified:11 Mar 2011 08:55

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