Abstract
The recent interest in Dynamical Systems Theory (DST) is part of a growing tendency within cognitive science to replace the structure-sensitive processing of representations by associative processes of a neurophysiological kind. More specifically, neurodynamical work on categorization can be located within an associationistic tradition because of its attempt to explain behavior on the basis of correlated processes in the brain. Although associationism is a tradition not favored by traditional cognitive science, a recognition of DST’s associationistic tendency seems called for. This does not imply a weakening of DST’s relevance for the study of cognition, but rather a strengthening of classic associationistic ideas.
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Haselager, P. (1999). Neurodynamics and the Revival of Associationism in Cognitive Science. In: Riegler, A., Peschl, M., von Stein, A. (eds) Understanding Representation in the Cognitive Sciences. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-585-29605-0_12
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-585-29605-0_12
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