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PROCESS AND MIND: EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROCESS PHILOSOPHY AND THE NONLINEAR DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS SCIENCE OF COGNITION
Title
PROCESS AND MIND: EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROCESS PHILOSOPHY AND THE NONLINEAR DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS SCIENCE OF COGNITION.
Creator
Moralez, Larry A, Favela, Luis H., University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
This work examines the relationship between Alfred North Whitehead's process philosophy and the nonlinear dynamical systems framework for studying cognition. I argue that the nonlinear dynamical systems approach to cognitive science presupposes many key elements of his process philosophy. The process philosophical interpretation of nature posits events and the dynamic relations between events as the fundamental substrate of reality, as opposed to static physical substances. I present a brief...
Show moreThis work examines the relationship between Alfred North Whitehead's process philosophy and the nonlinear dynamical systems framework for studying cognition. I argue that the nonlinear dynamical systems approach to cognitive science presupposes many key elements of his process philosophy. The process philosophical interpretation of nature posits events and the dynamic relations between events as the fundamental substrate of reality, as opposed to static physical substances. I present a brief history of the development of substance thought before describing Whitehead's characterization of nature as a process. In following, I will examine the both the computational and nonlinear dynamical systems frameworks for investigating cognition. I will show that the computational paradigm is subject to many of the same criticisms as substance. Conversely, I will show that nonlinear dynamical cognitive science avoids these criticisms and is congenial to Whitehead's philosophy insofar as it is suitable for describing emergent processes. To conclude, I suggest that the nonlinear dynamical cognitive science confirms and validates Whitehead's philosophy. Furthermore, I argue that process philosophy is an appropriate characterization of nature for guiding inquiry in cognitive science.
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Date Issued
2016
Identifier
CFH2000091, ucf:45553
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000091
THE INCOMPATIBILITY OF FREEDOM OF THE WILL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL PHYSICALISM
Title
THE INCOMPATIBILITY OF FREEDOM OF THE WILL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL PHYSICALISM.
Creator
Gonzalez, Ariel, Rodgers, Travis, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Many contemporary naturalistic philosophers have taken it for granted that a robust theory of free will, one which would afford us with an agency substantial enough to render us morally responsible for our actions, is itself not conceptually compatible with the philosophical theory of naturalism. I attempt to account for why it is that free will (in its most substantial form) cannot be plausibly located within a naturalistic understanding of the world. I consider the issues surrounding an...
Show moreMany contemporary naturalistic philosophers have taken it for granted that a robust theory of free will, one which would afford us with an agency substantial enough to render us morally responsible for our actions, is itself not conceptually compatible with the philosophical theory of naturalism. I attempt to account for why it is that free will (in its most substantial form) cannot be plausibly located within a naturalistic understanding of the world. I consider the issues surrounding an acceptance of a robust theory of free will within a naturalistic framework. Timothy O'Connor's reconciliatory effort in maintaining both a scientifically naturalist understanding of the human person and a full-blooded theory of agent-causal libertarian free will is considered. I conclude that Timothy O'Connor's reconciliatory model cannot be maintained and I reference several conceptual difficulties surrounding the reconciliation of agent-causal libertarian properties with physical properties that haunt the naturalistic libertarian.
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Date Issued
2014
Identifier
CFH0004628, ucf:45292
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004628