Brinz, Johannes (2026) From Simulating to Duplicating the Brain. Synthese. ISSN 1573-0964
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Abstract
The philosophy of AI has a long-standing tradition of discussing brain duplicates and brain simulations as well as a tendency to blur the lines between the two. The distinction between simulating and duplicating the brain has become increasingly important with the emergence of ”neuromorphic computers”, hardware operating with bio-inspired mechanisms and interconnecting artificial neurons and synapses. This paper explores what it means to duplicate the brain rather than merely simulate it. I claim that while simulations share only a mathematical structure with their targets, duplicates have the same relevant measurable properties and are governed by the same relevant causal processes as the target system. I propose six criteria for brain duplication that are often not met by simulations, thereby offering a clearer understanding of the complexities involved in achieving brain duplication in artificial systems. Furthermore, this paper explores whether neuromorphic computers can duplicate neural computations by
exploring the notion of models of computation. I submit that analog neuromorphic computers that use memristive technology are candidates for duplicating neural structures with respect to simple models of neural computation. Finally, I discuss five possible objections to my view.
“This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11229-026-05505-0"
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| Item Type: | Published Article or Volume | ||||||
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| Keywords: | Philosophy of Neuroscience, Neuromorphic Computing, Duplication, Simulation, Neuromorphic AI | ||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Neuroscience > Cognitive Neuroscience Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science > Computation Specific Sciences > Engineering |
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| Depositing User: | Mr Johannes Brinz | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 09 Mar 2026 13:51 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 09 Mar 2026 13:51 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 28239 | ||||||
| Journal or Publication Title: | Synthese | ||||||
| Publisher: | Springer (Springer Science+Business Media B.V.) | ||||||
| DOI or Unique Handle: | 10.1007/s11229-026-05505-0 | ||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Neuroscience > Cognitive Neuroscience Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science Specific Sciences > Cognitive Science > Computation Specific Sciences > Engineering |
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| Date: | February 2026 | ||||||
| ISSN: | 1573-0964 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/28239 |
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