Synopsis
A defense of scientific realism based on the role of idealization in the cognitive sciences.We study nature, including the mind and brain, by building scientific models. In The Idealized Mind, Michael Kirchhoff brings together ideas from the philosophy of cognitive science and the philosophy of science to reconcile scientific realism with model-based science. His defense of scientific realism—the view that one reasonable aim of science is to provide true (or approximately true) descriptions of reality—is based on the role of idealization in the cognitive sciences. Idealization, he claims, is inevitable in cognitive science; at the same time, any understanding of the mind and brain must show how it is possible for scientific models to be reliably used to make truth-conditional assertions about their target phenomena.
A central error in most theorizing about the mind, Kirchhoff claims, is to confuse the properties of scientific models with those of the system being modeled. But scientific models are, almost exclusively and unavoidably, idealizations of the world we seek to understand. They are descriptions of hypothetical systems, things that do not actually exist in nature. Specifically, Kirchhoff uses insights on idealization in science to assess the status and standing of three foundational issues in cognitive science: neural representation, neural computation, and the prospects for explanatory unification. He also explains why it is a mistake to approach neural representation and neural computation through the metaphysical stances of realism, fictionalism, or eliminativism.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Michael D. Kirchhoff is Associate Professor in the School of Liberal Arts at the University of Wollongong.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Search results for The Idealized Mind: From Model-Based Science to Cognitive...
Stock Image
The Idealized Mind: From Model-Based Science to Cognitive Science
Seller: Books Puddle, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 26403540538
Stock Image
The Idealized Mind
Seller: PBShop.store UK, Fairford, GLOS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # GB-9780262552936
Buy New
£ 48.14
£ 4.16 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 3 available
Seller Image
Idealized Mind : From Model-based Science to Cognitive Science
Seller: GreatBookPrices, Columbia, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 49206328-n
Seller Image
The Idealized Mind
Seller: Rarewaves.com USA, London, LONDO, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # LU-9780262552936
Buy New
£ 53.29
Free Shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 5 available
Stock Image
The Idealized Mind: From Model-based Science to Cognitive Science
Seller: Revaluation Books, Exeter, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Brand New. 248 pages. 9.00x6.00x9.00 inches. In Stock. Seller Inventory # __0262552930
Buy New
£ 44.77
£ 10 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
The Idealized Mind
Seller: Rarewaves USA, OSWEGO, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # LU-9780262552936
Stock Image
IDEALIZED MIND
Seller: Speedyhen LLC, Hialeah, FL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 3 out of 5 stars
Condition: NEW. Seller Inventory # NWUS9780262552936
Stock Image
The Idealized Mind (Paperback)
Seller: Grand Eagle Retail, Bensenville, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. A defense of scientific realism based on the role of idealization in the cognitive sciences.A defense of scientific realism based on the role of idealization in the cognitive sciences.We study nature, including the mind and brain, by building scientific models. In The Idealized Mind, Michael Kirchhoff brings together ideas from the philosophy of cognitive science and the philosophy of science to reconcile scientific realism with model-based science. His defense of scientific realism-the view that one reasonable aim of science is to provide true (or approximately true) descriptions of reality-is based on the role of idealization in the cognitive sciences. Idealization, he claims, is inevitable in cognitive science; at the same time, any understanding of the mind and brain must show how it is possible for scientific models to be reliably used to make truth-conditional assertions about their target phenomena.A central error in most theorizing about the mind, Kirchhoff claims, is to confuse the properties of scientific models with those of the system being modeled. But scientific models are, almost exclusively and unavoidably, idealizations of the world we seek to understand. They are descriptions of hypothetical systems, things that do not actually exist in nature. Specifically, Kirchhoff uses insights on idealization in science to assess the status and standing of three foundational issues in cognitive science- neural representation, neural computation, and the prospects for explanatory unification. He also explains why it is a mistake to approach neural representation and neural computation through the metaphysical stances of realism, fictionalism, or eliminativism. "A defense of "Scientific Realism" based on the role that idealizations play in the cognitive sciences. Written by an up and coming philosopher or mind and cognitive scientist"-- Provided by publisher. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780262552936
Stock Image
The Idealized Mind: From Model-Based Science to Cognitive Science
Seller: Biblios, Frankfurt am main, HESSE, Germany
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 18403540528
Seller Image
Idealized Mind : From Model-based Science to Cognitive Science
Seller: GreatBookPrices, Columbia, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: As New. Unread book in perfect condition. Seller Inventory # 49206328