[From John Anderson (2009.10.08.0132 EDT)]
I ran across this paper this evening, and I wondered if anyone on CSGNET had seen it and could comment on it. (I have just skimmed through it.) One of its references is B:CP, and at least one of the figures is an elaboration on a PCT control system.
Pezzulo, G. & Castelfranchi, C. Thinking as the control of imagination: a conceptual framework for goal-directed systems. Psychological Research 73, 559-577 (2009).
Abstract: This paper offers a conceptual framework which (re)integrates goal-directed control, motivational processes, and executive functions, and suggests a developmental pathway from situated action to higher level cognition. We first illustrate a basic computational (control-theoretic) model of goal-directed action that makes use of internal modeling. We then show that by adding the problem of selection among multiple action alternatives motivation enters the scene, and that the basic mechanisms of executive functions such as inhibition, the monitoring of progresses, and working memory, are required for this system to work. Further, we elaborate on the idea that the off-line re-enactment of anticipatory mechanisms used for action control gives rise to (embodied) mental simulations, and propose that thinking consists essentially in controlling mental simulations rather than directly controlling behavior and perceptions. We conclude by sketching an evolutionary perspective of this process, proposing that anticipation leveraged cognition, and by highlighting specific predictions of our model.
Best to everyone…
John
John Anderson, Ph.D.
Senior Research Lecturer
Director, Center for Science and the Public
Department of Physics
University of North Florida
+1-904-620-3988
[From Bruce Abbott (2009.10.08.1010 EDT)]
John
Anderson (2009.10.08.0132 EDT) –
I
ran across this paper this evening, and I wondered if anyone on CSGNET had seen
it and could comment on it. (I have just skimmed through it.) One
of its references is B:CP, and at least one of the figures is an elaboration on
a PCT control system.
Pezzulo,
G. & Castelfranchi, C. Thinking as the control of imagination: a conceptual
framework for goal-directed systems. Psychological Research 73, 559-577 (2009).
How can I obtain a copy? Apparently it’s not available for
free from the publisher until 12 months after publication. (I located it via
Academic Search Premier, which gives me access to free PDFs of many journal
articles. In this case, no dice
Bruce A.
[From Fred Nickols (2009.10.08.1034 EDT)]
···
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Bruce Abbott <bbabbott@VERIZON.NET>
[From Bruce Abbott (2009.10.08.1010 EDT)]
How can I obtain a copy? Apparently it's not available for free from the
publisher until 12 months after publication. (I located it via Academic
Search Premier, which gives me access to free PDFs of many journal
articles. In this case, no dice
I found a copy at this link:
http://www.istc.cnr.it/doc/1a_2362b_20090715d_intentional_action.pdf
Fred Nickols
nickols@att.net
[From Bill Powers (2009.10.08.0859 MDT)]
John Anderson (2009.10.08.0132 EDT)
···
–
I ran across this paper this
evening, and I wondered if anyone on CSGNET had seen it and could comment
on it. (I have just skimmed through it.) One of its
references is B:CP, and at least one of the figures is an elaboration on
a PCT control system.
Pezzulo, G. & Castelfranchi, C.
Thinking as the control of imagination: a conceptual framework for
goal-directed systems. Psychological Research 73, 559-577
(2009).
The authors haven’t understood enough about PCT. Most of the problems
they mention are handled easily in a hierarchical control system model.
They mention my hierarchical model, but think it has a problem with
choosing which lower-level actions to produce to control higher-level
perceptions. They make the same mistake Turvey made years ago, in
thinking that control of a higher-level variable has to involve one and
only one lower-level situation. These people really haven’t grasped the
idea of control by adjusting the lower-level world as a means of
controlling the higher-level world; they’re still thinking in terms of
calculating the lower-level action needed to achieve the higher-level
result – the inverse kinematics and dynamics approach, which starts with
the highest-level goal and converts it into lower-level actions –
exactly the same “final common pathway” model Sherrington
proposed in the early 1900s – 1906 or so.
Thanks to Fred Nickols for finding the full-text version for us!
Best,
Bill P.
[From Ted Cloak (2009.10.08.0920 MDT)]
[From Bill Powers (2009.10.08.0859 MDT)]
John Anderson
(2009.10.08.0132 EDT) –
I ran across
this paper this evening, and I wondered if anyone on CSGNET had seen it and
could comment on it. (I have just skimmed through it.) One of its references
is B:CP, and at least one of the figures is an elaboration on a PCT control
system.
Pezzulo, G.
& Castelfranchi, C. Thinking as the control of imagination: a conceptual
framework for goal-directed systems. Psychological Research 73, 559-577 (2009).
The authors haven’t understood enough about PCT. Most of the problems they
mention are handled easily in a hierarchical control system model. They mention
my hierarchical model, but think it has a problem with choosing which
lower-level actions to produce to control higher-level perceptions. They make
the same mistake Turvey made years ago, in thinking that control of a
higher-level variable has to involve one and only one lower-level situation.
These people really haven’t grasped the idea of control by adjusting the
lower-level world as a means of controlling the higher-level world; they’re
still thinking in terms of calculating the lower-level action needed to achieve
the higher-level result – the inverse kinematics and dynamics approach, which
starts with the highest-level goal and converts it into lower-level actions –
exactly the same “final common pathway” model Sherrington proposed in
the early 1900s – 1906 or so.
Thanks to Fred Nickols for finding the full-text version for us!
Thanks indeed.
I think their whole paper is anticipated in the concept of
Imagination Mode in B:CP. And as Bill points out, they simply haven’t
grasped the idea of hierarchy in control systems.
If Psychological Research accepts letters, one of us might point
this out – maintaining scholarly decorum, of course.
Best,
Ted
[From Bill Powers (2009.10.08.0936 MDT)]
Ted Cloak (2009.10.08.0920 MDT) –
TC: I think their whole paper is
anticipated in the concept of Imagination Mode in B:CP. And as Bill
points out, they simply havent grasped the idea of hierarchy in control
systems.
If Psychological Research accepts letters, one of us might point this out
maintaining scholarly decorum, of course.
Let’s see, “one of us.” Hmm. Who might that be? I’ve got it!! I
nominate – wait for it ----
----> TED CLOAK <----
Best,
Bill P.
[From Fred Nickols (2009.10.08.1149 EDT)]
[From Bill Powers (2009.10.08.0859 MDT)]
These people really
haven't grasped the idea of control by adjusting the lower-level
world as a means of controlling the higher-level world; they're still
thinking in terms of calculating the lower-level action needed to
achieve the higher-level result -- the inverse kinematics and
dynamics approach, which starts with the highest-level goal and
converts it into lower-level actions -- exactly the same "final
common pathway" model Sherrington proposed in the early 1900s -- 1906 or so.
Yea! That's what I thought, too. Gee, maybe I'm beginning to get it.
Thanks to Fred Nickols for finding the full-text version for us!
You're welcome.
Regards,
Fred Nickols
nickols@att.net
[From Bruce Abbott (2009.10.08.1150 EDT)]
Fred Nickols (2009.10.08.1034 EDT) --
Bruce Abbott (2009.10.08.1010 EDT)
How can I obtain a copy? Apparently it's not available for free from
the publisher until 12 months after publication. (I located it via
Academic Search Premier, which gives me access to free PDFs of many
journal articles. In this case, no dice
FN: I found a copy at this link:
http://www.istc.cnr.it/doc/1a_2362b_20090715d_intentional_action.pdf
Thanks Fred! It didn't occur to me to just Google it . . .
Bruce A.
[From Ted Cloak (2009.10.08.0920 MDT)]
I think their whole paper is anticipated in the concept of Imagination Mode
in B:CP. And as Bill points out, they simply haven't grasped the idea of
hierarchy in control systems.
If Psychological Research accepts letters, one of us might point this out -
maintaining scholarly decorum, of course.
And might such a letter be signed by several respected scholars on this list?
Regards,
Fred Nickols
nickols@att.et
[From John Anderson (091009.0130 EDT)]
That is an excellent idea.
John
···
[From Ted Cloak (2009.10.08.0920 MDT)]
[From Bill Powers (2009.10.08.0859 MDT)]
John Anderson (2009.10.08.0132 EDT) --
I think their whole paper is anticipated in the concept of Imagination Mode
in B:CP. And as Bill points out, they simply haven't grasped the idea of
hierarchy in control systems.
If Psychological Research accepts letters, one of us might point this out -
maintaining scholarly decorum, of course.