Facchin, Marco (2021) Are generative models structural representations?

Text ACC philsci.docx.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only until 1 April 2022. Download (336kB)

Abstract

Philosophers interested in the theoretical consequences of predictive processing often assume that predictive processing is an inferentialist and representationalist theory of cognition. More specifically, they assume that predictive processing revolves around approximated Bayesian inferences drawn by inverting a generative model. Generative models, in turn, are said to be structural representations: representational vehicles that represent their targets by being structurally similar to them. Here, I challenge this assumption, claiming that, at present, it lacks an adequate justification. I examine the only argument offered to establish that generative models are structural representations, and argue that it does not substantiate the desired conclusion. Having so done, I consider a number of alternative arguments aimed at showing that the relevant structural similarity obtains, and argue that all these arguments are unconvincing for a variety of reasons. I then conclude the paper by briefly highlighting three themes that might be relevant for further investigation on the matter.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Published Article or Volume
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Facchin, Marco marco.facchin@iusspavia.it 0000-0001-5753-9873
Keywords:	Structural representations; Antirepresentationalism; Predictive processing; Representation wars; Generative models
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Neuroscience > Cognitive Neuroscience Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science > Concepts and Representations Specific Sciences > Artificial Intelligence > Machine Learning General Issues > Models and Idealization General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Depositing User:	Dr. Marco Facchin
Date Deposited:	31 Mar 2021 14:35
Last Modified:	31 Mar 2021 14:35
Item ID:	18869
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Neuroscience > Cognitive Neuroscience Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science > Concepts and Representations Specific Sciences > Artificial Intelligence > Machine Learning General Issues > Models and Idealization General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Date:	2021
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/18869

Available Versions of this Item

• Are generative models structural representations? (deposited 31 Mar 2021 14:35) [Currently Displayed]

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item