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Content and action: The guidance theory of representation

Rosenberg, Dr. Gregg and Anderson, Dr. Michael L. (2004) Content and action: The guidance theory of representation. [Preprint]

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Abstract

The current essay introduces the guidance theory of representation, 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 biological origins of representation, a formal characterization of the guidance theory, some examples of its use, and show how the guidance theory handles some traditional problem cases for representation: the problems of error and of representation of fictional and abstract entities.

Item Type:Preprint
Keywords:action, intentionality, mental content, reference, representation
Subjects:Philosophy > Philosophy of Language
Biology > Animal Cognition
Biology > Evolution
Philosophy > Philosophy of Mind
Computer Science > Artificial Intelligence
ID Code:3953
Deposited By:Anderson, Dr. Michael
Deposited On:20 Nov 2004
Last Modified:12 Sep 2007 17:54

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