An Introduction to Natural Computation (Complex Adaptive Systems) [Paperback]

Dana H. Ballard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 30, 1999 | Series: Complex Adaptive Systems

It is now clear that the brain is unlikely to be understood without recourse to computational theories. The theme of An Introduction to Natural Computation is that ideas from diverse areas such as neuroscience, information theory, and optimization theory have recently been extended in ways that make them useful for describing the brains programs. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the computational material that forms the underpinnings of the currently evolving set of brain models. It stresses the broad spectrum of learning models--ranging from neural network learning through reinforcement learning to genetic learning--and situates the various models in their appropriate neural context.To write about models of the brain before the brain is fully understood is a delicate matter. Very detailed models of the neural circuitry risk losing track of the task the brain is trying to solve. At the other extreme, models that represent cognitive constructs can be so abstract that they lose all relationship to neurobiology. An Introduction to Natural Computation takes the middle ground and stresses the computational task while staying near the neurobiology.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dana H. Ballard is Professor of Computer Science at the University of Texas at Austin.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: A Bradford Book (January 30, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262522586
• ISBN-13: 978-0262522588
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #805,709 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > Computers & Technology > Computer Science > Artificial Intelligence > Cognitive Simulation

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars From Caltech, October 24, 2000

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James P. Turpin "http://jamesturpin.blogspot.... (Olympia, WA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: An Introduction to Natural Computation (Complex Adaptive Systems) (Paperback)

This book is one of the two main books used in Caltech's Neural Computation class (the other is Introduction to the Theory of Neural Computation by Hertz, Krogh, and Palmer). This book covers a wider spectrum of learning models than most books, including Hertz, et al. It is still fairly mathematically rigorous, although not as much as Hertz, et al. It is ideal for somebody who wants a fairly mathematically rigorous description of the subject, but also wants something more comprehensive than Herts, et al.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very informative - but you'll need an icepack for your head, April 16, 2002

By 

David A. Bayliss "DAB" (Delray Beach, FL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: An Introduction to Natural Computation (Complex Adaptive Systems) (Paperback)

Fifteen years ago I did research in this area and had just completed a math degree. I thought it would be interesting to get back up to speed.
I found the book fascinating, tremendous work has been done in this field and this is a good broad treatment of it. For anyone who is into computer science but has never studied the brain it will be a tremendous eye opener.
But boy, was it hard work. I found I had to read & re-read sections just to understand some of the math involved. In fairness the book does cover everything you need but if you have never done college level math, or you have forgotten most of it, then don't tackle this book when you are tired!