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Structural representations: causally relevant and different from detectors

Gładziejewski, Paweł and Miłkowski, Marcin (2017) Structural representations: causally relevant and different from detectors. [Preprint]

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Abstract

This paper centers around the notion that internal, mental representations are grounded in structural similarity, i.e., that they are so-called S-representations. We show how S-representations may be causally relevant and argue that they are distinct from mere detectors. First, using the neomechanist theory of explanation and the interventionist account of causal relevance, we provide a precise interpretation of the claim that in S-representations, structural similarity serves as a “fuel of success”, i.e., a relation that is exploitable for the representation using system. Then, we discuss crucial differences between S-representations and indicators or detectors, showing that—contrary to claims made in the literature—there is an important theoretical distinction to be drawn between the two.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Gładziejewski, Pawełpawel_gla@o2.pl
Miłkowski, Marcinmarcin.milkowski@gmail.com
Keywords: S-representation, mental models, mental representation, antirepresentationalism, interventionism about causation, mechanistic explanation
Subjects: General Issues > Causation
Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science
General Issues > Explanation
Specific Sciences > Neuroscience
Specific Sciences > Psychology
Depositing User: Mr. Paweł Gładziejewski
Date Deposited: 25 Jan 2017 16:08
Last Modified: 25 Jan 2017 16:08
Item ID: 12774
Subjects: General Issues > Causation
Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science
General Issues > Explanation
Specific Sciences > Neuroscience
Specific Sciences > Psychology
Date: 2017
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/12774

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