Journal article
Models of memory: Wittgenstein and cognitive science
Philosophical psychology, Vol.4(2), pp.203-218
01/01/1991
DOI: 10.1080/09515089108573027
Abstract
The model of memory as a store, from which records can be retrieved, is taken for granted by many contemporary researchers. On this view, memories are stored by memory traces, which represent the original event and provide a causal link between that episode and one's ability to remember it. I argue that this seemingly plausible model leads to an unacceptable conception of the relationship between mind and brain, and that a non-representational, connectionist, model offers a promising alternative. I also offer a new reading of Wittgenstein's paradoxical remarks about thought and brain processes: as a critique of the cognitivist thesis that information stored in the brain has a linguistic structure and a particular location. On this reading, Wittgenstein's criticism foreshadows some of the most promising contemporary work on connectionist models of neural functioning.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Models of memory: Wittgenstein and cognitive science
- Creators
- David G. Stern - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Philosophical psychology, Vol.4(2), pp.203-218
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Group
- DOI
- 10.1080/09515089108573027
- ISSN
- 0951-5089
- eISSN
- 1465-394X
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/01/1991
- Academic Unit
- Philosophy
- Record Identifier
- 9984397939702771
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