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Controversies and issues in developmental theories of mind: Some constructive remarks

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 1997

Steven R. Quartz
Affiliation:
Computational Neurobiology Laboratory and The Sloan Center for Theoretical Neurobiology, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037 steve@salk.edu www.cnl.salk.edu/CNL/
T. J. Sejnowski
Affiliation:
Howard Hughes Medical, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies and Department of Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037 terry@salk.edu www.cnl.salk.edu/CNL/

Abstract

As the commentaries reveal, cognitive neuroscience's first steps toward a theory of development are marked by vigorous debate, ranging from basic points of definition to the fine details of mechanism. In this Response, we present the neural constructivist position on this broad spectrum of issues, from basic questions such as what sets constructivism apart from other theories (particularly selectionism) to its relation to behavioral theories and to its underlying mechanisms. We conclude that the real value of global theories at this stage of cognitive neuroscience is not just their answers but the new set of research questions they pose.

Type
Author's Response
Copyright
© 1997 Cambridge University Press

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