Brain Inspired BI 213 Representations in Minds and Brains
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Jun 4, 2025 
Luis Favela, a philosopher and cognitive scientist, joins Edouard Machery, a philosophy expert, along with neuroscientists John Krakauer and Rosa Cao, and philosopher Frances Egan. They dive into the murky waters of the term 'representation,' revealing its varied interpretations in cognitive science. The guests debate the implications of vague terminology on our understanding of mental processes and argue for clearer definitions to enhance interdisciplinary communication. They also touch on the complexities of linking neuroscience to concepts of consciousness and intelligence.
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Representation Concept Confusion
- Neuroscientists use 'representation' in varying, often unclear ways related to neural activity and stimuli.
- This inconsistency highlights a conceptual confusion about representation in cognitive sciences.
Signs vs Representations Confused
- Neuroscientists often conflate natural signs with representations, ignoring misrepresentation possibilities.
- This equivocation leads to confusion since signs like smoke can't misrepresent but representations like maps can.
Terminology Reform Debate
- There's a debate whether to reform, eliminate, or accept the term "representation" despite its vagueness.
- Luis Favela favors elimination due to conceptual confusion, while Edouard values the term's pragmatic utility.