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

Preview

Text HIT DA draft penultimate a.pdf Download (406kB) | Preview

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.

---

Export/Citation:

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

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Beard, Alex alexander.beard@zoho.com Colombo, Matteo m.colombo@uvt.nl Wright, Cory cory.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

Available Versions of this Item

• The Heuristic Identity Theory and Brain Reward Function: A Case of Mistaken Identity Theory. (deposited 16 Aug 2016 14:29)
  • The Heuristic Identity Theory and Brain Reward Function: A Case of Mistaken Identity Theory. (deposited 04 Apr 2017 14:12) [Currently Displayed]

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item