Module 2 - Cognition and Computation Flashcards

1
Q

Explain ‘‘The Computer Metaphor for the Mind’’

A

The brain is like hardware, and the mind is like software.
AI is based on the idea that thinking = computation

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2
Q

Physical Symbol System Hypothesis

A

Intelligence requires the ability to manipulate symbols.
AI must process symbols to reason and make decisions.

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3
Q

What are the two limits of computation?

A

Intractable problems: Require too much time/memory to solve.
Uncomputable problems: No algorithm can solve them (e.g., the Halting Problem).

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4
Q

What is the difference between tractable and intractable problems?

A

Tractable problems: Can be solved in reasonable time (e.g., sorting algorithms).
Intractable problems: Require exponential time, making them impossible to solve efficiently (e.g., Traveling Salesman Problem).

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5
Q

What are the three models of universal computation?

A
  1. Von Neumann Architecture (memory + processing unit).
  2. Turing Machine (abstract computation model).
  3. Neural Networks (learning-based model).
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6
Q

In Depth Q. Why do AI systems struggle with uncomputable problems?

A

Some problems cannot be solved by any algorithm (e.g., predicting if a program will run forever).
AI can approximate but not solve these problems perfectly.

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7
Q

In Depth Q. How does the Physical Symbol System Hypothesis relate to modern AI?

A

Traditional AI relies on symbol manipulation, but deep learning uses data-driven approaches.
Some argue modern AI doesn’t need symbolic reasoning to be intelligent.

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8
Q

How have we understood thinking throughout history?

A

The question “What does it mean to think?” has changed over time as technology changed.
Each era compared the human mind to its most advanced machines of the time.

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9
Q

Different Metaphors for the Mind + Era

A
  1. Renaissance (1500s-1600s) - Clockwork mechanism – Thinking is precise & mechanical.
  2. Industrial Revolution (1760-1840) Steam Engine – The mind works under pressure like a machine.
  3. Early 1900s Telephone exchange – Thought is a network of signals & connections.
  4. Modern era Computer metaphor – The mind processes information like software running on hardware.
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10
Q

Why do the metaphors for the mind change?

A

Each metaphor reflects what humans know at the time.
As technology advances, we see more complex patterns in how the brain functions

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11
Q

What is the Computer Metaphor?

A

Mind = Software → Processes information, makes decisions, does not have a physical form.
Brain = Hardware → Physical structure, executes computations, requires energy.

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12
Q

What did Johnson-Laird (1983) state?

A

Stated that the computer metaphor is the last metaphor – meaning it will never be replaced.
No other metaphor has been studied in such depth.

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13
Q

Why is the Computer Metaphor Powerful?

A

It explains how the brain stores, retrieves, and processes information.
It allows scientists to model human thought using artificial intelligence.

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14
Q

Criticism of the Computer Metaphor

A

❌ Does not fully explain emotions, intuition, and consciousness.
❌ The brain is biological, while a computer is electronic – this may be a fundamental difference.

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15
Q

What is Computation?

A

Computation is the process of solving problems using a sequence of logical steps.

Thought was once seen as purely calculation-based.

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16
Q

What happend during Age of Enlightenment (1700s – Leibniz)?

A

Believed thinking was like mathematical reasoning.
Even moral and ethical questions could be solved with logic.

17
Q

What happend during Industrial Revolution (1760-1840 – De Prony)?

A

Computation became a repetitive, mechanical task.
Talented thinkers were seen as more than just calculators.

18
Q

What was the first ‘‘computer’’?

A

Before machines, human workers were called computers.
They performed complex calculations manually.

19
Q

What happend in 1822?

A

The first step toward programmable computers. The Difference Engine was the first mechanical calculator.

19
Q

Who imagined the possibility to replace the first ‘‘computers’’ with machines?

A

Charles Babbage (1812)

20
Q

Why was Babbage’s idea revolutionary?

A

Shifted the idea that only humans could compute.

Led to the question: “Can machines think?”

21
Q

How Did WWII Accelerate AI Development?

A

Codebreaking & military needs pushed technology forward.
Computers evolved from calculators to problem solvers.

22
Q

Key Milestones in Computing History

A
  1. 1941- Zuse’s Z3 Germany- First programmable computer.
  2. 1943- Colossus UK-Used for code breaking (WWII).
  3. 1946- ENIAC USA- Military & scientific calculations.
23
Q

What question did Alan Turing (1912-1954) asked?

A

Asked “Can machines think?” rather than “Is the mind a computer?” Saw computers as mimicking human behavior, but not necessarily thinking like us.

24
Q

What did John von Neumann say about computers?

A

Compared computers to the nervous system. Agreed computers were like the brain, but not the same as the brain.

25
Q

What’s the difference between the view of Alan Turing and John von Neumann?

A

Turing - AI can mimic thinking but does not prove real intelligence.
Von Neumann - The brain and computers share similarities but are not identical.

26
Q

What did Newell & Simon propose about cognition?

A

Cognition is not just number-based calculations but involves symbol manipulation.
Computers should be seen as symbol processors, not just calculators.

27
Q

What is the Mental Chemistry Hypothesis

A

Proposed by Newell & Simon.
Thought processes are like chemical reactions, where simple symbols combine into complex structures.

28
Q

What are the basic operations in mental chemistry, according to Newell & Simon?

A
  1. Storage – Keeping symbols in memory.
  2. Retrieval – Accessing stored symbols.
  3. Transmission – Moving symbols between processes.
  4. Comparison – Evaluating and manipulating symbols.
29
Q

What did Simon predict about AI in 1957?

A

“Within 10 years, psychological theories will take the form of computer programs.”
Suggested that computers would be used to model human thought.

30
Q

What is the Physical Symbol System Hypothesis?

A

Proposed in 1976, it states that:
1. Intelligence requires symbol manipulation.
2. Symbol manipulation is enough for intelligence to emerge.

31
Q

Why is symbol manipulation considered necessary for intelligence?

A

Humans use symbols to reason and solve problems.
AI models that manipulate symbols can replicate intelligent behaviors.

32
Q

Why is symbol manipulation considered sufficient for intelligence?

A

If a machine can store, retrieve, and process symbols, it can act intelligently.
This suggests AI doesn’t need human-like consciousness to be intelligent.

33
Q

Who can be considered a Physical Symbol System?

A
  1. Humans – Neurons process symbolic representations.
  2. Machines – Computers manipulate symbols.
  3. Other physical systems – Anything that can perform symbolic computation.
34
Q

Does the material of intelligence matter in the Physical Symbol System Hypothesis?

A

No, intelligence can be made of neurons, silicon, or tin cans—as long as it processes symbols.
The process of computation matters more than the substance of the system.