Assignment

Entry 1: Empiricism, Associationism, Introspectionism

In no more than 400 words, describe and distinguish the views listed above in this entry's title. You may elaborate with examples if you wish.

Entry 2: Behaviorism and Cognitivism

In no more than 300 words, distinguish between (psychological) behaviorism and cognitivism, and explain what you take to be (a) the best point in favor of each.

Entry 3: Seriously? The brain is a computer??

In no more than 700 words, reflect on this idea that the brain is a computer and that cognition is a kind of computation. Does it seem absurd? Obvious? Have you changed your mind in any way? Is there something else that must be ascertained before adjudicating on this issue? (You will not be graded on whether you agree with this view. The key is to explain and support your current assessment of it.)

Entry 4: Chomsky's Criticism

In no more than 500 words, explain how Noam Chomsky's point about the Dutch painting is meant to be a criticism of B. F. Skinner's account of verbal behavior.

Entry 5: M-P Neuron

In no more than 200 words, describe and relate the following aspects of a simple McCulloch-Pitts neuron: inputs, summation, inhibition, threshold, and output. (For this entry, you do not need to mention weighted input, but you are welcome to do do.)

Entry 6: SDS and Misrepresentation

As we have seen, critics hold that Simple Detector Semantics inadvertently makes misrepresentation impossible. In no more than 500 words, explain what you think is the best response and why: (i) Reject or Upgrade SDS, (ii) Misrepresentation Doesn't Really Happen, (iii) There's Got to Be Another Way!