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Updated: May 25, 2026

26:41
Perspectives on Neuroscience
Published on: July 31, 2007
Is cognitive science usefully cast as complexity science?
Guy Van Orden1, Damian G Stephen
1CAP Center for Cognition, Action & Perception, University of Cincinnati, OH 45221-0376, USA. guy.van.orden@uc.edu
Topics in Cognitive Science
|January 19, 2012
Summary
Complexity science offers new insights into cognitive activity, challenging traditional assumptions in cognitive science. This debate explores its empirical utility and novel phenomena.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Complexity Science
Background:
- Explores the utility of complexity science in understanding cognitive activity.
- Debates the empirical evidence for complexity in cognitive processes.
Discussion:
- Examines new phenomena discovered by complexity scientists.
- Challenges fundamental assumptions of conventional cognitive science, such as stable equilibria and homogeneous variance.
Key Insights:
- Qualitative changes in cognitive activity are analyzed through the lens of complexity.
- Complexity theory prompts a re-evaluation of established cognitive science paradigms.
Outlook:
- Introduces a new debate format for TopiCS.
- Encourages further discussion on the integration of complexity science in cognitive research.
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