Timo Jarvilehto (1998) What is a Machine? . Psycoloquy: 9(79) Efference Knowledge (5)
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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