School of History and Philosophy of Science RESEARCH SEMINAR [The University of Sydney] [https://d31hzlhk6di2h5.cloudfront.net/20240818/2e/6d/8d/6a/21e76fe705cd5d657bd5b348_1276x730.jpg] Miscomputation as a Type of Malfunction
Nir Fresco (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev) Dates: Monday, 26/08/2024 Time: 5:30pm Venue: F09.331. Madsen Building. Madsen Seminar Room 331 How to register: Free, no registration required Abstract: When representation fails, it results in misrepresentation; likewise, faulty computation leads to miscomputation. Theories of representation that also explain misrepresentation are abundant. By contrast, theories of computation, we will argue, do not likewise explain miscomputation. Despite its significance for understanding physical computation and its theoretical role in explaining abnormal mental phenomena, surprisingly few works have characterised miscomputation explicitly (e.g., Colombo, 2021; Fresco & Primiero, 2013; Piccinini, 2015; Tucker, 2018) . When miscomputation occurs, a system computes a different mathematical function, g, rather than the normal function, f (i.e., there exists at least one input i such that g(i) ≠ f(i)). Normative accounts of computation, whether semantic or mechanistic, face a dilemma: either there is no such thing as miscomputation, or it cannot be explained. A key contentious claim here though is that miscomputation, unlike standard malfunction, is a form of computation. A system that does not compute cannot miscompute (Tucker, 2018) . In this talk, we will outline the dilemma, defend the preceding contentious claim, and propose a potential initial solution. Bio: Nir is an associate professor at the department of cognitive and brain sciences, at Ben-Gurion University of the Negevת and the principal investigator of the Epistemology and Cognition Lab. Most of his work is in the foundations of cognitive neuroscience, philosophy of computation and information, and philosophy of mind. One branch of his research focuses on understanding—from informational and computational perspectives—how information processing contributes to our cognitive life. To that effect, he studies the explanatory roles computation and information play in cognitive neuroscience. Another branch of research, which is undertaken in the Lab, combines philosophical and behavioural methods to study the relation between automaticity, habit formation, and skill acquisition in humans. [https://images.e2ma.net/0/images/templates/spacer.gif] [The University of Sydney] Keep in touch [Facebook]<https://t.e2ma.net/click/srtfyw/090r5ucb/4008kze> [Twitter]<https://t.e2ma.net/click/srtfyw/090r5ucb/kt18kze> [Instagram]<https://t.e2ma.net/click/srtfyw/090r5ucb/0l28kze> [LinkedIn]<https://t.e2ma.net/click/srtfyw/090r5ucb/ge38kze> [YouTube]<https://t.e2ma.net/click/srtfyw/090r5ucb/w638kze> Copyright © 2024 The University of Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia Phone +61 2 9351 2222 ABN 15 211 513 464 CRICOS Number: 00026A Please add hps.ad...@sydney.edu.au to your address book or senders safe list to make sure you continue to see our emails in the future. Manage<https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/1976084/1957350/1370825190/83979948518/?s=cPBJZ5_-lSnA8MQfBk3YLQqFch7tWMQPRVbTBMmGvaA> your preferences | Opt out<https://t.e2ma.net/optout/srtfyw/090r5ucb?s=lrDWlRm2Ygwe9Fb3D_H3V2Gbp1bEYvUJMdTfBYSUzE8> using TrueRemove® Got this as a forward? Sign up<https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/1976084/1957350.1370825190/> to receive our future emails. View this email online<https://t.e2ma.net/message/srtfyw/090r5ucb>. Disclaimer<https://t.e2ma.net/click/srtfyw/090r5ucb/cz48kze> | Privacy statement<https://t.e2ma.net/click/srtfyw/090r5ucb/sr58kze> | University of Sydney<https://t.e2ma.net/click/srtfyw/090r5ucb/8j68kze>
--------- SydPhil mailing list To unsubscribe, change your membership options, find answers to common problems, or visit our online archives, please go to the list information page: https://mailman.sydney.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/sydphil
