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Cognitive Capacities as Functional Natural Kinds.

Claudia-Lorena García1, Mariana Salcedo-Gómez2, Alejandro Vázquez-Del-Mercado3

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study introduces a restricted functionalism approach to understanding cognitive capacities. It proposes "cognitive functional systems" as key to explaining animal behavior and suggests these systems can be viewed as natural kinds.

Keywords:
Cognitive explanationCognitive variationIndividuation of cognitive capacitiesInterventionist causationMechanismsMultiple realizationNeurocognitive integration

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Science
  • Philosophy of Mind
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Cognitive theories aim to explain animal behavior.
  • Existing functionalism may overstate the scope of functional systems.
  • A need exists for a more restricted, yet comprehensive, functional approach.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To articulate a restricted functional approach to cognitive capacities.
  • To introduce and define "cognitive functional systems" as explanatory entities.
  • To explore the potential of these systems to be classified as natural kinds.

Main Methods:

  • Developing a theoretical framework for restricted functionalism.
  • Defining "cognitive functional systems" based on their primary functions.
  • Analyzing the internal organization and causal interactions of these systems.
  • Investigating the conditions under which cognitive functional systems qualify as natural kinds.

Main Results:

  • A restricted functional approach to cognitive capacities is proposed.
  • "Cognitive functional systems" are identified as central to explaining behavior.
  • These systems are individuated by their cognitive functions and internal organization.
  • Certain classes of cognitive functional systems can be considered natural kinds based on information processing hierarchies.

Conclusions:

  • Restricted functionalism offers a nuanced view of cognitive capacities.
  • "Cognitive functional systems" provide a robust framework for cognitive explanations.
  • The natural kind status of cognitive systems depends on their hierarchical information processing structures.