New Issue of Connexions

[Tom Simpson]

APOLOGIES FOR CROSS-POSTING

This is to announce the release of a new issue of Connexions - an online 
journal of issues in Philosophy and Cognitive Science.

In this issue we have two papers:

1. 'Connectionism is Nothing but Control Theory' by Asim Roy

Abstract: The paper shows that connectionist systems are based on standard 
control theory notions. It does so by first examining the notion of a 
controller in any system and then establishing that many of the simpler 
connectionist learning methods - like back-propagation, adaptive resonance 
theory (ART), reduced coulomb energy (RCE), and radial basis function (RBF) 
- use controllers in them. The paper shows the existence of controllers in 
these methods and shows that these controllers may be (1) within the 
learning system itself, (2) outside of the learning system or (3) a 
combination of the two. By logical extension, more complex connectionist 
systems, ones that use these simpler learning mechanisms within them, are 
also in turn using controllers and are therefore based on control theoretic 
concepts. The analysis of these connectionist systems is performed purely on 
a logical basis, by a logical analysis of their conceptual structure, and 
has nothing to do with their implementation, whether by use of 
neurocomputers or other kinds of computers. In general, this analysis 
implies that control theoretic notions are applicable to developing systems 
similar to the brain and refutes the claim in connectionism that their 
methods do not embody standard control theory concepts, that they have 
introduced a qualitatively new set of concepts and mechanisms

and

2. 'On the Origin of Symbols' by Thomas E. Dickins.

Abstract: Through a synthesis of Dunbars (1993, 1996) and Gomezs (1998a, 
b) hypotheses on the evolution of language a further hypothesis about the 
origins of symbolic communication is made that relies upon simple learning.  
The aim of this speculation is to propose a specific origin story for 
symbolic communication and to marry behaviourist and cognitivist concerns 
about language.  It is argued that this order of approach will enforce a 
more realistic parsimony on future models of language evolution.

We also have a review, by Tom Stafford, of 'Darwin Among the Machines' by 
George Dyson.

Connexions is run by the Department of Philosophy at the University of 
Sheffield, England, and can be found at

http://www.shef.ac.uk/uni/academic/N-Q/phil/connex/

Connexions is an on-line journal for all issues in the Philosophy of 
Cognitive Science. We primarily publish work-in-progress with the intention 
of exposing this work to friendly but rigorous criticism, and, more broadly, 
of generating debate on issues within cognitive science. Comments and 
replies in response to work published in the journal are encouraged, and can 
be mailed to the editor or posted on our discussion list Connex-L. 
Contributions for subsequent publications are also welcome. Details on how 
to join the list, post messages and submit articles and reviews can be found 
on the site, together with previous issues and further information about 
Connexions.

Thank you for your time.

Tom Simpson
Editor
tomsimpson at hotmail.com



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Tom Simpson
Department of Philosophy
University of Sheffield
Sheffield
S10 2TN

http://www.shef.ac.uk/misc/personal/pip98ts

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