Computational autopoietic theory? How post-cognitivism does not (necessarily) entail anti-computationalism

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2022-08-16

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en

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Traditionally, post-cognitivism rejected computationalism for entailing representationalism. Recent successes in machine learning and especially artificial neural networks suggest that this assumed implication deserves to get reconsidered. In a recent paper titled “Why post-cognitivism does not (necessarily) entail anti-computationalism” the authors point out similarities between the early autopoietic theory, and a more recent mechanistic account of computation. This thesis supports the paper’s argument by integrating both verbal theories into one formal theory using a rigorous mathematical formalism. The formal theory is implemented in a computational model and simulated to test the theory. Building on previous work, Game of Life is used as simulation environment. Theory-building and model simulation were interleaved, iterative processes that mutually constrained each other. Observations and possible implications are discussed.

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Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen