> Perhaps it will start to give you a sense that words and indeed all symbols > provide an extremely limited *inventory of the world* and all its infinite > parts and behaviours. > > I welcome any impressionistic responses here, including confused questions.
I agree with the above, but I think one needs to be careful about levels of description... One way to define "symbol" is in accordance with Peircean semiotics ... and in this sense, not every term, predicate or variable utilized in a logical reasoning engine is actually a "symbol" from the standpoint of the reasoning/learning process implemented by the reasoning engine Similarly, if one implements a neural net learning algorithm on a digital computer, the bits used to realize the software program are symbols from the standpoint of the programming language compiler and executor, but not from the standpoint of the neural net itself... LIke neurons, logical tokens may be used as components of complex patterned arrangements, without any individual symbolic meaning. Visual images may be represented with superhuman accuracy using logical tokens for instance. These tokens are symbolic at one level, but not visually symbolic... ben ------------------------------------------- agi Archives: http://www.listbox.com/member/archive/303/=now RSS Feed: http://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/303/ Modify Your Subscription: http://www.listbox.com/member/?member_id=8660244&id_secret=95818715-a78a9b Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com
