Inspirational anchors: minimal computational models in cognitive science.
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| Title: | Inspirational anchors: minimal computational models in cognitive science. |
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| Authors: | Schonbein, Whit1 (AUTHOR) 71whit@gmail.com |
| Source: | Journal of Experimental & Theoretical Artificial Intelligence. Sep2012, Vol. 24 Issue 3, p385-400. 16p. |
| Subjects: | Cognitive science, Model-integrated computing, Simulation methods & models, Empirical research, Inference (Logic), Economic models |
| Abstract: | In model-based science, a minimal computational model (MCM) is a computational model developed without the guidance of significant empirical evidence about the mechanism being modelled. Despite their historical and contemporary prominence in cognitive science, MCMs face serious challenges: (1) because of the lack of empirical grounding, it is hard to see how we are justified in making inferences from a model to its target and (2) if they say nothing about their targets, it seems that their utility is limited to the articulation of mere logical possibilities. In this article, I scrutinise this challenge by surveying and rejecting some alternative accounts of the epistemological role of MCMs. I argue that these models are best viewed as fulcra upon which additional research is leveraged. In support, I draw connections between cognitive and economic modelling, and sketch how a prominent account of the latter can be extended to cover the former. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] |
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| Database: | Engineering Source |
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| Abstract: | In model-based science, a minimal computational model (MCM) is a computational model developed without the guidance of significant empirical evidence about the mechanism being modelled. Despite their historical and contemporary prominence in cognitive science, MCMs face serious challenges: (1) because of the lack of empirical grounding, it is hard to see how we are justified in making inferences from a model to its target and (2) if they say nothing about their targets, it seems that their utility is limited to the articulation of mere logical possibilities. In this article, I scrutinise this challenge by surveying and rejecting some alternative accounts of the epistemological role of MCMs. I argue that these models are best viewed as fulcra upon which additional research is leveraged. In support, I draw connections between cognitive and economic modelling, and sketch how a prominent account of the latter can be extended to cover the former. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] |
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| ISSN: | 0952813X |
| DOI: | 10.1080/0952813X.2012.693666 |
