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The Predictive Processing Paradigm Has Roots in Kant
1Department of Philosophy, University of MinnesotaMinneapolis, MN, USA; Center for Cognitive Sciences, University of MinnesotaMinneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Center for Philosophy of Science, University of MinnesotaMinneapolis, MN, USA.
Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience
|October 26, 2016
Summary
Predictive processing (PP) is not a new paradigm but echoes Immanuel Kant's theories. This approach, emphasizing top-down perception and generative models, was scientifically implemented by Hermann von Helmholtz.
Area of Science:
- Computational Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Philosophy of Mind
- Artificial Intelligence
Background:
- Predictive processing (PP) is a prominent paradigm in computational and cognitive neuroscience.
- PP has gained attention across psychology, robotics, AI, and philosophy.
- Some scholars note similarities between PP and the work of 18th-century philosopher Immanuel Kant.
Purpose of the Study:
- To substantively discuss the links between predictive processing and Immanuel Kant's philosophical concepts.
- To argue that core aspects of PP were anticipated by Kant in his theories of perception and cognition.
- To trace the historical influence of Kant on PP through Hermann von Helmholtz.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of core themes in predictive processing.
- Comparison of PP concepts with Kant's philosophical works on perception and cognition.
- Historical tracing of PP's intellectual lineage, specifically through Hermann von Helmholtz.
Main Results:
- Identified five core aspects of PP anticipated by Kant: top-down percept generation, hyperpriors, generative models, analysis-by-synthesis, and the role of imagination.
- Noted that PP shares Kant's project of explaining how minds use sensory data to track causal structures.
- Located Hermann von Helmholtz as a potential conduit for Kant's influence on PP, viewing Helmholtz's work as a scientific implementation of Kant's ideas.
Conclusions:
- Predictive processing should not be viewed as a novel paradigm.
- PP is better understood as the latest iteration of an approach to perception and cognition initiated by Kant.
- This Kantian approach was subsequently refined and scientifically implemented by Helmholtz.
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