Computationalism

AKA

Computational Theory of Mind

Focus

Sense-making activity in the brain

Principal Metaphors

  • Knowledge is … digitally encoded information
  • Knowing is … activated networks
  • Learner is … a computational system (brain)
  • Learning is … elaborating possibilities through symbolic processing
  • Teaching is … transmission (of information)

Originated

1940s

Synopsis

Computationalism is more a philosophical positioning than a practical theory. Its grounding premise is that the mind is an information-processing system, and so perception, thought, consciousness, and so are all forms of computation. By implication, learning is seen as a matter of rule-based symbolic manipulations within neural networks. These notions are typically aligned with or subsumed within a grander perspective, such as:
  • Digital Physics Hypothesis (Conrad Zuse, 1960s) – the suggestion that the universe is fundamentally computational in nature, akin to a digital computer – meaning that the fabric of reality can be described as discrete bits of information that are processed according to algorithmic rules
  • Mathematical Universe Hypothesis (MUH; Ultimate Ensemble Theory) (Max Tegmark, 1990s) – the suggestion that the physical universe is not merely described by mathematics, but it is mathematics – a perspective that proponents assert is bolstered by the success of mathematics in describing physical reality
  • Simulation Hypothesis (Nik Bostrom, 2000s) – the suggestion that the “reality” one experiences is simulated, akin to a highly advanced virtual reality. Most versions assert that one’s experiences are artificial constructs created by an advanced agent.
Important note: Computationalism should not be confused with Computation Theory (see Computational Cognition).

Commentary

See Brain-as-Computer Discourses for a brief statement on prominent criticisms of the grounding premise (i.e., that the mind is an information-processing system) of Computationalism. Broader, more full-bodied critiques include:
  • Pancomputationalism (Gualtiero Piccinini, 2010s) – the cynical suggestion that everything is a computational system – which was offered as a critique of the tendency within Computationalism to conflate computational descriptions with actual computational systems. “Computation” is a specific kind of causal process involving the manipulation of symbols based on rules, and so not many physical systems qualify as computational systems.

Authors and/or Prominent Influences

Hilary Putnam; Jerry Fodor

Status as a Theory of Learning

Computationalism is not intended as a theory of learning – but, insofar as it is taken up to inform discussions of learning, it is sufficiently aligned with Cognitivism to be subjected to the same criticisms.

Status as a Theory of Learning

See Cognitivism.

Status as a Theory of Teaching

See Cognitivism.

Status as a Scientific Theory

See Cognitivism.

Subdiscourses:

  • Digital Physics Hypothesis
  • Mathematical Universe Hypothesis (MUH; Ultimate Ensemble Theory)
  • Pancomputationalism
  • Simulation Hypothesis

Map Location



Please cite this article as:
Davis, B., & Francis, K. (2024). “Computationalism” in Discourses on Learning in Education. https://learningdiscourses.com.


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