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The Heuristic Identity Theory and Brain Reward Function: A Case of Mistaken Identity Theory

Beard, Alex and Colombo, Matteo and Wright, Cory (2017) The Heuristic Identity Theory and Brain Reward Function: A Case of Mistaken Identity Theory. [Preprint]

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Abstract

This paper employs a case study from the history of neuroscience—-brain reward function-—to scrutinize the inductive argument for the so-called ‘Heuristic Identity Theory’ (HIT). The case not only disconfirms HIT, but illustrates why other case studies previously thought to support HIT also fold under scrutiny. After further scrutiny, we conclude that HIT is not an alternative to the traditional identity theory so much as an epicycle on the mechanistic approach to explanation.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Beard, Alexalexander.beard@zoho.com
Colombo, Matteom.colombo@uvt.nl
Wright, Corycory.wright@zoho.com
Keywords: decomposition, dopamine, electrophysiology, history of neuroscience, identity, intracranial self-stimulation, localization, mechanism, mechanistic explanation, mesocorticolimbic system, motivation, neuropharmacology, pleasure, reward
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
General Issues > Experimentation
General Issues > Explanation
General Issues > History of Science Case Studies
Specific Sciences > Neuroscience
Depositing User: Dr. Matteo Colombo
Date Deposited: 04 Apr 2017 14:12
Last Modified: 04 Apr 2017 14:12
Item ID: 12961
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
General Issues > Experimentation
General Issues > Explanation
General Issues > History of Science Case Studies
Specific Sciences > Neuroscience
Date: 3 April 2017
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/12961

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