Bruce Bridgeman (1992) Mental Life as Simulation
. Psycoloquy: 3(50) Consciousness (27)
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Psycoloquy 3(50): Mental Life as Simulation
MENTAL LIFE AS SIMULATION
Reply to Rickert on Bridgeman on Consciousness
Bruce Bridgeman
Kerr Hall UCSC
Santa Cruz, Ca. 95064
bruceb@cats.ucsc.edu
Abstract
The idea of brain processes as simulations can unify the
interpretation of a number of seemingly diverse mental functions.
Rickert (1992) proposes to extend the idea of planning to trying
out ideas, even in the absence of "a coherent plan." Plans need not
be coherent or even rational. They need only include a sequence of
actions determined in advance. The idea of thinking as simulation
is consistent with my original conception, and extends it in a
useful direction.
Keywords
consciousness, language, plans, motivation, evolution,
motor system
References
- Bridgeman, B. (1988) The Biology of Behavior and Mind. New York: Wiley.
- Bridgeman, B. (1992) On the Evolution of Consciousness and Language. PSYCOLOQUY 3 (15) consciousness.1
- Dennett, D. C. (1991) Consciousness Explained. Boston: Little, Brown & Co.
- Rickert, N. W. Consciousness and Simulation: Commentary on Bridgeman on Consciousness. PSYCOLOQUY 3 (15) consciousness.1