The reward of unification: A realist reading of the predictive processing theory

2018-01-01
In a recent paper, Colombo and Wright (C & W for short) built on their neat assessment of the activity of mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic (DA) systems to argue that hierarchical predictive processing theory of the brain (PTB) is not the grand unifying theory that has been claimed by its advocates. To the contrary, they argued that the scientific practice is consistent with a pluralist reading (Colombo & Wright, 2016). Despite its reliance on solid experimental resources, C & W's defence of explanatory pluralism is adorned with sophisticated philosophical assumptions. Of course, this provides all the more reason to admire C & Ws enterprise on account of its tasteful combination of scientific and philosophical insights. However, despite being conscious about the relation of their works to the philosophy of science, C & W have presented their pluralistic construal as if it is a direct consequence of the scientific status quo.
NEW IDEAS IN PSYCHOLOGY

Suggestions

The structure and unity of atomic Fregean thoughts: An explication and emendation
Akçelik, Oğuz; Grünberg, Teo; Department of Philosophy (2022-9)
This thesis is about the structure and unity of atomic Fregean Thoughts as abstract structured entities which are the meanings and the primary truth-bearers of sentences as well as the objects of attitudes. We explicate Frege’s theory of Thoughts to argue that it is the most adequate semantic theory for explaining the meaning and truth of natural language expressions. However, there are certain problems concerning the structure and unity of Fregean Thoughts. Our initial conjecture is that Frege’s theory is ...
THE ONTOLOGY OF CAPITAL: ON THE SHARED METHODOLOGICAL LIMITS OF MODERNIZATION THEORY AND ITS CRITICS
Mücen, Barış (2018-06-01)
This article argues that critical scholarship in historical studies has not overcome the methodological limits of modernization theory for failing to question the ontological principles that construct its object of analysis. I call these principles the ontology of capital and explicate them through Bourdieu's conceptualization of the field and capital. I argue that this ontology is established according to a distribution model in which social entities come into the analysis with the amount and value of the ...
THE CONCEPT OF AKRASIA IN ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHY: PLATO, ARISTOTLE, AND THE STOICS
Akkökler Karatekeli, Büşra; Turan, Şeref Halil; Department of Philosophy (2022-9)
This thesis investigates the concept of akrasia, with particular attention given to its sundry interpretations in the philosophies of Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics. In this inquiry, I argue that these philosophers agree on the lack of knowledge of the akratic person, while they differentiate from each other as to what this missing knowledge is. Irrespective of their rejection or acknowledgement of akrasia due to their conceptions of the soul, I argue that Plato, Aristotle and the Stoics share the common ...
The theory of capitalism and its ontological foundations: comparative study of Marx and Deleuze&Guattari
Kocagül, Volkan; Sol, Ayhan; Department of Philosophy (2006)
The main objective of this thesis is to examine the theory of capitalism and its ontological foundations through the major works of Marx and Deleuze&Guattari. In his monumental book called Capital, Karl Marx develops an account of capitalism based on his understanding of philosophy of which takes its roots from Hegel and Feuerbach. Additionally, English political economy and French socialism serve as reliable grounds for Marx’s analysis. In light of the writings of these historical precursors, Marx constitu...
The Role of argumentation theory in scientific reasoning and science education
Meriç, Gülden Alaz; Zambak, Aziz Fevzi; Department of Philosophy (2019)
This thesis analyzes Argumentation Theory within the context of science education. Within this thesis’s purpose, foundations of Argumentation Theory together with the theory’s main elements are also explained. The role of Argumentation Theory is approached in two aspects, namely the philosophical aspect and the educational aspect. In the philosophical aspect, it is questioned whether some reformations in Argumentation Theory is needed for adapting it for science education. In the educational aspect, it is e...
Citation Formats
M. Davoody Benı, “The reward of unification: A realist reading of the predictive processing theory,” NEW IDEAS IN PSYCHOLOGY, vol. 48, pp. 21–26, 2018, Accessed: 00, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://hdl.handle.net/11511/93452.