Abstract
AI research is continually challenged to explain cognitive processes as being computational. Whereas existing notions of computing seem to have their limits for it, we contend that the recent, epistemic approach to computations may hold the key to understanding cognition from this perspective. In this approach, computations are seen as processes generating knowledge over a suitable knowledge domain, within the framework of a suitable knowledge theory. This, machine-independent, understanding of computation allows us to explain a variety of higher cognitive functions such as accountability, self-awareness, introspection, free will, creativity, anticipation and curiosity in computational terms. It also opens the way to understanding the self-improving mechanisms behind the development of intelligence. The argumentation does not depend on any technological analogies.
The research of the first author was partially supported by the ICS AS CR fund RVO 67985807 and the Czech National Foundation Grant No. 15-04960S.
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Acknowledgment
The authors thank Jodi Guazzini and Aaron Sloman for comments and suggestions that greatly helped to improve the manuscript.
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Wiedermann, J., van Leeuwen, J. (2018). Epistemic Computation and Artificial Intelligence. In: Müller, V. (eds) Philosophy and Theory of Artificial Intelligence 2017. PT-AI 2017. Studies in Applied Philosophy, Epistemology and Rational Ethics, vol 44. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96448-5_22
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96448-5_22
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