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Fractionating the System of Deductive Reasoning

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Neural Correlates of Thinking

Part of the book series: On Thinking ((ONTHINKING,volume 1))

Abstract

In this chapter I suggest that the best way to advance our understanding of the neural basis of reasoning is to put equal emphasis on cognitive theory and neuropsychological data and ideas. This approach has led us to view reasoning in terms of a fractionated system that is dynamically configured in response to task and environmental cues. Three systems that have emerged from our research of the past few years are reviewed: (1) systems for dealing with familiar and unfamiliar material (2) systems for dealing with conflict and belief-bias; (3) systems for dealing with certain and uncertain information. These systems are discussed in the context of several dual mechanism theories. It is argued that the data is consistent with Newell and Simon’s account of formal and heuristic processes but not other more radical accounts of dual processes. I conclude by offering a speculative proposal as to how the systems might interact in the course of evaluating logical arguments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele St., Toronto, ON, Canada, M3J 1P3

    Vinod Goel

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  1. Vinod Goel
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Correspondence to Vinod Goel .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Parmenides Center for the Study of Thinking, Parmenides Foundation, Kardinal Faulhaber Str. 14a, 80333, Munich, Germany

    Ernst Pöppel , Eduard Kraft  & Ernst Pöppel ,  & 

  2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Neuropsychology Unit, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Marchioninistr.15, 81337, Munich, Germany

    Eduard Kraft

  3. Psychiatry Section Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, S-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden

    Balázs Gulyás

  4. Human Science Center, Ludwig Maximilian University, Goethestr.31, 80336, Munich

    Ernst Pöppel  & Ernst Pöppel  & 

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Goel, V. (2009). Fractionating the System of Deductive Reasoning. In: Kraft, E., Gulyás, B., Pöppel, E. (eds) Neural Correlates of Thinking. On Thinking, vol 1. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68044-4_13

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