The Brain-Computer Metaphor Debate Is Useless: A Matter of Semantics

Frontiers in Computer Science

卷:4

Timothy P. Lillicrap¹  Blake A. Richards³ 

[1] DeepMind Inc., London, United Kingdom;

[2] Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada;

[3] Learning in Machines and Brains Program, CIFAR, Toronto, ON, Canada;

[4] Mila, Montreal, QC, Canada;

[5] School of Computer Science, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada;

关键词: neuroscience;    psychology;    computer science;    brains;    computers;    Turing machines;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fcomp.2022.810358

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

It is commonly assumed that usage of the word “computer” in the brain sciences reflects a metaphor. However, there is no single definition of the word “computer” in use. In fact, based on the usage of the word “computer” in computer science, a computer is merely some physical machinery that can in theory compute any computable function. According to this definition the brain is literally a computer; there is no metaphor. But, this deviates from how the word “computer” is used in other academic disciplines. According to the definition used outside of computer science, “computers” are human-made devices that engage in sequential processing of inputs to produce outputs. According to this definition, brains are not computers, and arguably, computers serve as a weak metaphor for brains. Thus, we argue that the recurring brain-computer metaphor debate is actually just a semantic disagreement, because brains are either literally computers or clearly not very much like computers at all, depending on one's definitions. We propose that the best path forward is simply to put the debate to rest, and instead, have researchers be clear about which definition they are using in their work. In some circumstances, one can use the definition from computer science and simply ask, what type of computer is the brain? In other circumstances, it is important to use the other definition, and to clarify the ways in which our brains are radically different from the laptops, smartphones, and servers that surround us in modern life.

【 授权许可】

Unknown