Timo Jarvilehto (1998) What is a Machine?
. Psycoloquy: 9(79) Efference Knowledge (5)
Versions: ASCII formatted
Psycoloquy 9(79): What is a Machine?
WHAT IS A MACHINE?
Reply to Schmid on Efference-Knowledge
Timo Jarvilehto
Department of Behavioral Sciences,
PB 222, 90571 Oulu
University of Oulu,
Finland
http://wwwedu.oulu.fi/homepage/tjarvile
tjarvile@ktk.oulu.fi
Abstract
Schmid (1998) brings forward an interesting aspect of the
interplay of afferent and efferent processes from the point of view
of machine learning. Equating these processes with bottom-up and
top-down processing, respectively, Schmid on this basis supports
the importance of efferent influences in learning. Schmid has
difficulty, however, in seeing why traditional concepts of
cognitive science would not suffice in the treatment of such
problems and why they should be modelled by an organism-environment
system. Although I do appreciate the viewpoint of machine learning
-- something quite new for me in this context -- I cannot agree that
afferent and efferent neural processes could be simply equated with
bottom-up and top-down processes or that such a conceptual
distinction would help in understanding real problems of knowledge
formation or learning in machines, let alone in organisms.
Keywords
afference, artificial life, efference, epistemology,
evolution, Gibson, knowledge, motor theory, movement, perception,
receptors, robotics, sensation, sensorimotor systems, situatedness
References
- Clark A (1997) Being there. Putting Brain, Body, and World Together Again. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.
- Jarvilehto T (1994) Learning as formation of man-environment system. In: Proceedings of the International Workshop on CLCE, ed. by Levonen, J.J. and Tukiainen, M.T., p. 7-8. Joensuu: Joensuu University Press. http://wwwedu.oulu.fi/homepage/tjarvile/learn.htm
- Jarvilehto, T. (1998) Efferent influences on receptors in knowledge formation. PSYCOLOQUY 9(41) http://www.cogsci.soton.ac.uk/cgi/psyc/newpsy?9.41 ftp://ftp.princeton.edu/pub/harnad/Psycoloquy/1998.volume.9/psyc.98.9.41.efference-knowledge.1.jarvilehto
- Schmid U (1998) Bottom-up and Top-down Processes in Learning. Commentary on Jarvilehto on Efference-Knowledge. PSYCOLOQUY 9(76) http://www.cogsci.soton.ac.uk/cgi/psyc/newpsy?9.76 ftp://ftp.princeton.edu/pub/harnad/Psycoloquy/1998.volume.9/psyc.98.9.76.efference-knowledge.4.schmid