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The tractable cognition thesis.

Iris Van Rooij¹

¹Nijmegen Institute for Cognition and Information, Radboud University Nijmegen.

Cognitive Science

|May 19, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The Tractable Cognition thesis suggests human cognitive limits are computational. This paper argues for fixed-parameter tractability (FPT-Cognition) over polynomial-time computability (P-Cognition) to better model cognitive science.

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Area of Science:

Cognitive Science
Computational Neuroscience
Philosophy of Mind

Background:

Human cognition is understood as a finite computational system.
The Tractable Cognition thesis posits that cognitive capacities are limited by computational tractability.
A precise definition of computational tractability is crucial for advancing cognitive theories.

Purpose of the Study:

To critically evaluate the prevalent P-Cognition thesis (polynomial-time computability) as a formalization of the Tractable Cognition thesis.
To propose the FPT-Cognition thesis (fixed-parameter tractability) as a more suitable alternative.
To address potential objections and clarify misconceptions regarding the Tractable Cognition thesis.

Main Methods:

Analysis of computational complexity theory in the context of cognitive psychology.
Comparative evaluation of P-Cognition and FPT-Cognition formalisms.
Philosophical argumentation and conceptual clarification.

Main Results:

The P-Cognition thesis may be overly restrictive, potentially excluding valid computational theories of cognition.
The FPT-Cognition thesis offers a more flexible and potentially more accurate formalization of computational constraints in cognition.
Existing misconceptions about the Tractable Cognition thesis are identified and addressed.

Conclusions:

The definition of computational tractability significantly impacts theories in cognitive psychology.
Adopting the FPT-Cognition thesis could lead to more inclusive and accurate computational models of the human mind.
Further research is needed to explore the implications of FPT-Cognition for understanding human cognitive capacities.