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Neurocognitive Mechanisms: Explaining Biological Cognition

by Gualtiero Piccinini (Author)
5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 4 ratings
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In Neurocognitive Mechanisms Gualtiero Piccinini presents the most systematic, rigorous, and comprehensive philosophical defence to date of the computational theory of cognition. His view posits that cognition involves neural computation within multilevel neurocognitive mechanisms, and includes novel ideas about ontology, functions, neural representation, neural computation, and consciousness. He begins by defending an ontologically egalitarian account of composition and realization, according to which all levels are equally real. He then explicates multiple realizability and mechanisms within this ontologically egalitarian framework, defends a goal-contribution account of teleological functions, and defends a mechanistic version of functionalism. This provides the foundation for a mechanistic account of computation, which in turn clarifies the ways in which the computational theory of cognition is a multilevel mechanistic theory supported by contemporary cognitive neuroscience.

Piccinini argues that cognition is computational at least in a generic sense. He defends the computational theory of cognition from standard objections, yet also rebuts putative a priori arguments. He contends that the typical vehicles of neural computations are representations, and that, contrary to the received view, the representations posited by the computational theory of cognition are observable and manipulatable in the laboratory. He also contends that neural computations are neither digital nor analog; instead, neural computations are sui generis. He concludes by investigating the relation between computation and consciousness, suggesting that consciousness may be a functional phenomenon without being computational in nature. This book will be of interest to philosophers of cognitive science as well as neuroscientists.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0198866283
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0198866282
  3. Publisher
    Oxford University Press
  4. Publication date
    November 24, 2020
  5. Language
    English
  6. Dimensions
    0.94 x 6.14 x 9.21 inches
  7. Print length
    416 pages
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gualtiero Piccinini, Curators' Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Associate Director of the Center for Neurodynamics, University of Missouri-St. Louis

Gualtiero Piccinini is Curators' Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Associate Director of the Center for Neurodynamics at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. In 2014, he received the Herbert A. Simon Award from the International Association for Computing and Philosophy. In 2018, he received the K. Jon Barwise Prize from the American Philosophical Association. In 2019, he received the Chancellor's Award for Research and Creativity from University of Missouri - St. Louis. His publications include Physical Computation: A Mechanistic Account (Oxford University Press, 2015).

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press (November 24, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0198866283
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0198866282
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.5 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.94 x 6.14 x 9.21 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 4 ratings

About the author

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Gualtiero Piccinini

Gualtiero Piccinini

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Gualtiero Piccinini is Curators' Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the University of Missouri. In 2014, he received the Herbert A. Simon Award from the International Association for Computing and Philosophy. In 2018, he received the K. Jon Barwise Prize from the American Philosophical Association. In 2019, he received the Chancellor's Award for Research and Creativity from University of Missouri - St. Louis. His publications include Physical Computation: A Mechanistic Account (OUP 2015), Neurocognitive Mechanisms: Explaining Biological Cognition (OUP 2020), The Computational Theory of Mind (with Matteo Colombo, CUP 2023), and The Physical Signature of Computation (with Neal G. Anderson, OUP 2024).

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Bridging philosophy, the mind, and computation
5 out of 5 stars
Bridging philosophy, the mind, and computation
In "Neurocognitive Mechanisms," Gualtiero Piccinini masterfully marries computational theory with physical mechanisms, providing an exceptional exploration of cognition and its neural underpinnings. This book not only enhances our understanding of the brain as a computational entity but also successfully bridges the gap between abstract theory and physical reality.Extending from his earlier work on physical computation, Piccinini invites us into an intricate labyrinth of metaphysical concepts, from teleological functions to neural representation. Each topic is expounded with impressive clarity and nuance, provoking thought and inviting further inquiry.Although this book demands a certain technical familiarity with mathematics, physics, neurobiology, and analytical philosophy, it rewards its reader with an unparalleled philosophical immersion into cognitive science. "Neurocognitive Mechanisms" is a beacon in its field, illustrating how the philosophical can meet the neurological in the study of the computational mind. A remarkable follow-up to the author's "Physical Computation: A Mechanistic Account", and a timely and valuable addition to any philosophy and computer science collection.
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  • CD
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bridging philosophy, the mind, and computation
    Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    In "Neurocognitive Mechanisms," Gualtiero Piccinini masterfully marries computational theory with physical mechanisms, providing an exceptional exploration of cognition and its neural underpinnings. This book not only enhances our understanding of the brain as a computational entity but also successfully bridges the gap between abstract theory and physical reality.

    Extending from his earlier work on physical computation, Piccinini invites us into an intricate labyrinth of metaphysical concepts, from teleological functions to neural representation. Each topic is expounded with impressive clarity and nuance, provoking thought and inviting further inquiry.

    Although this book demands a certain technical familiarity with mathematics, physics, neurobiology, and analytical philosophy, it rewards its reader with an unparalleled philosophical immersion into cognitive science. "Neurocognitive Mechanisms" is a beacon in its field, illustrating how the philosophical can meet the neurological in the study of the computational mind. A remarkable follow-up to the author's "Physical Computation: A Mechanistic Account", and a timely and valuable addition to any philosophy and computer science collection.
    Customer image
    CD
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bridging philosophy, the mind, and computation
    Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2023
    In "Neurocognitive Mechanisms," Gualtiero Piccinini masterfully marries computational theory with physical mechanisms, providing an exceptional exploration of cognition and its neural underpinnings. This book not only enhances our understanding of the brain as a computational entity but also successfully bridges the gap between abstract theory and physical reality.

    Extending from his earlier work on physical computation, Piccinini invites us into an intricate labyrinth of metaphysical concepts, from teleological functions to neural representation. Each topic is expounded with impressive clarity and nuance, provoking thought and inviting further inquiry.

    Although this book demands a certain technical familiarity with mathematics, physics, neurobiology, and analytical philosophy, it rewards its reader with an unparalleled philosophical immersion into cognitive science. "Neurocognitive Mechanisms" is a beacon in its field, illustrating how the philosophical can meet the neurological in the study of the computational mind. A remarkable follow-up to the author's "Physical Computation: A Mechanistic Account", and a timely and valuable addition to any philosophy and computer science collection.
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    3 people found this helpful
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  • Danielle Williams
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for anyone interested in a naturalized philosophy of mind
    Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This book takes the computational theory of mind and develops it into a scientifically relevant account of what it means for the brain to compute. It pairs nicely with Piccinini’s earlier work on physical computation while developing an additional framework for understanding what it means for the brain, specifically, to compute. But, more than the view itself, this book does a service to the philosophical literature by advancing a robust view that bridges theory with the physical mechanisms that carry out the computations.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Jorge Ignacio Fuentes
    5.0 out of 5 stars Covers many interesting topics with provocative philosophical proposals
    Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2022
    NM ranges from metaphysical considerations about mechanisms, levels, multiple realizability, teleological functions, and the nature of computation, to reflections about the relationship between concepts such as mind, brain, cognition, neural representation, and consciousness. Every topic is well explained and complemented with interesting philosophical proposals that invite you to think; sometimes you may agree, but in others, several questions will arise in your mind, and maybe you will want to investigate more on a specific area covered by the book engaging yourself in the philosophical exercise. I must warn you that this is a strongly technical book. While it explains everything with the required detail, you may need at least some basic knowledge in mathematics, physics, neurobiology, and current debates in analytical philosophy.
    3 people found this helpful
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