# Fw: Re.: B:CP

**URL:** <http://discourse.iapct.org/t/fw-re-b-cp/4644>\
**Category:** CSG2013\
**Created:** [July 26, 2013, 8:13pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/fw-re-b-cp/4644 "2013-07-26T20:13:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dmg](http://discourse.iapct.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/5e9695/32.png) [@dmg](http://discourse.iapct.org/u/dmg)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 8:13pm UTC](http://discourse.iapct.org/t/fw-re-b-cp/4644/1 "2013-07-26T20:13:33Z")

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[David Goldstein (2013.07.26.15:45)]

Chapter 3, Premises

Study Guide for  
Chapter on Premises

1. 

If all perceptions are “neural currentsâ€? then  
why do all perceptions seem so different from each other. Why does the  
perception of “blueâ€? differ from a perception like “honestyâ€? if they are both just  
the rates of firing of neurons?

The input functions which create the perception of “blueâ€?  
and “honestyâ€? must be different. As we  
will see when we discuss the hierarchy, blue is at a sensation level and  
honesty is probably at a principle level.

1. 

What is the advantage of the premise that all  
perceptions are “neural currentsâ€??

This premise allows the different levels in the hierarchy to  
work together. The error signals at one level become the reference signals at  
the immediately lower level. Perceptual signals at one level are combined to  
become perceptual signals at the immediately higher level. If the common currency of “neural curentsâ€?  
(more generally, nervous system activity) was not used, this would not be  
possible

1. 

Do you agree that “experienced realityâ€? is  
different from “a supposed external realityâ€? as Bill says on page 39 of the  
chapter? If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes. People with hallucinations and delusions take them as  
reality. Dreams seem real to a younger child who may think that the dream is  
taking place in the environment.

1. 

Why does Bill prefer the analog computer as  
a model for the nervous system over the digital computer?

I think the basic reason has to do with the phenomenon of  
control. Bill had the insight that the amplifier was controlling its input. As  
he said, when one is going to model a control system with a digital computer,  
one has to introduce make some special adjustments. Bill also says in the  
chapter that the assumptions of taking the digital computer as a model of the  
nervous system has some serious problems with it.

As an exercise, try to relate the  
analog components described in Ch. 3 to the components of the basic control  
system as implemented in Powers’ Live Block Diagram program.

The adder is a model for how the  
input function might work. The  
subtractor may be a model for the comparator. The integrator and differentiator  
may be a model for the output function, I am not really sure.

> **···**
>
> ----- Forwarded Message -----  
> **From:** D GOLDSTEIN [davidmg@verizon.net](mailto:davidmg@verizon.net)  
> **To:** “CSGNET@LISTSERV.UIUC.EDU” [CSGNET@LISTSERV.UIUC.EDU](mailto:CSGNET@LISTSERV.UIUC.EDU)  
> **Sent:** Friday, July 26, 2013 3:47 PM  
> **Subject:** Re.: B:CP