Burock, Marc (2010) Evidence for Information Processing in the Brain. [Preprint]

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Abstract

Many cognitive and neuroscientists attempt to assign biological functions to brain structures. To achieve this end, scientists perform experiments that relate the physical properties of brain structures to organism-level abilities, behaviors, and environmental stimuli. Researchers make use of various measuring instruments and methodological techniques to obtain this kind of relational evidence, ranging from single-unit electrophysiology and optogenetics to whole brain functional MRI. Each experiment is intended to identify brain function. However, seemingly independent of experimental evidence, many cognitive scientists, neuroscientists, and philosophers of science assume that the brain processes information as a scientific fact. In this work we analyze categories of relational evidence and find that although physical features of specific brain areas selectively covary with external stimuli and abilities, and that the brain shows reliable causal organization, there is no direct evidence supporting the claim that information processing is a natural function of the brain. We conclude that the belief in brain information processing adds little to the science of cognitive science and functions primarily as a metaphor for efficient communication of neuroscientific data.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Burock, Marc
Keywords:	brain function; cognitive science; experiments; information theory; neuroimaging; neuroscience evidence; cognitive science
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Neuroscience Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science
Depositing User:	Marc Burock
Date Deposited:	15 Oct 2011 11:08
Last Modified:	15 Oct 2011 11:08
Item ID:	8845
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Neuroscience Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science
Date:	July 2010
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8845

Available Versions of this Item

• Evidence for Information Processing in the Brain. (deposited 06 Jul 2010)
  • Evidence for Information Processing in the Brain. (deposited 15 Oct 2011 11:08) [Currently Displayed]

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