University of California Davis Philosophy 13(G), Dr.

Dorsey

Fodor & Pylyshyn, “Connectionism and Cognitive Architecture: A Critical Analysis”

GOFAI NEW-FANGLED AI
(Connectionist/Neural Networks)

Von Neumann Architecture?* ✓ ✗

Micro-managed programming? ✗
😬
Rapid processing ✓
😬
Large-capacity pattern recognition? ✓
😬
Degrades gracefully? ✓
😬
“Plastic” (learns, recovers?) ✓
😬
Deterministic? ✓/✗
😬
Models non-verbal/intuitive processes? ✓
😬
Neuro-scienti cally informed? ✓/✗
😬
Same computational power as FSM? ✗ 😬

*Distinct processor and memory store

Important fact: To date, every ‘neural net program’ is implemented on a good-ol’-
fashioned computer (with a Von Neumann architecture)!

The computational theory of mind (roughly): All minds (artificial or not) are computers.

Fodor & Pylyshyn, General Replies

(1) The objections depend on properties that are not in fact intrinsic to classical
architectures, since there can be perfectly natural classical models that don't exhibit the
objectionable features. (We believe this to be true, for example, of the arguments that classical
rules are explicit and classical operations are "all or none".)

(2) The objections are true of classical architectures insofar as they are implemented on
current computers, but need not be true of such architectures when differently (for
instance, neurally) implemented. They are, in other words, directed at the implementation level
rather than the cognitive level, as these were distinguished in our earlier discussion. (We believe
that this is true, for example, of the arguments about speed and resistance to damage and noise.)

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