Page 98 - Artificial Intelligence in the Age of Neural Networks and Brain Computing

86 CHAPTER 4 The Brain-Mind-Computer Trichotomy: Hermeneutic Approach

brain [35]. Dynamic systems theory offers a conceptual and mathematical frame-
work to analyze spatiotemporal neural phenomena occurring at different levels of
organization. These include oscillatory and chaotic activity both in single neurons
and in (often synchronized) neural networks, the self-organizing development and
plasticity of ordered neural structures, and learning and memory phenomena
associated with synaptic modification. Systems exhibiting high structural and
dynamic complexity may be candidates of being thought of as hermeneutic
devices. The human brain, which is structurally and dynamically complex, thus
qualifies as a hermeneutic device. One of the characteristic features of a hermeneu-
tic device is that its operation is determined by circular causality. Circular causality
was analyzed to establish self-organized neural patterns related to intentional
behavior [36].
The world of systems determined by linear (and only linear) causal relationships
belongs to the class of “simple systems” or mechanisms. The alternative is not a
“subjective” world, immune to science, but a world of complex systems, that is,
one which contains closed causal loops.
Systems with feedback connections and connected loops can be understood
based on the concepts of circular and network causality. Leaving aside the clear
and well-organized world of linear causal domains characterizing “simple systems,”
we find ourselves in the jungle of the complex systems [37].
As we know from engineering control theory, large systems consist of both
controller and controlled units. The controller discharges control signals toward
the controlled system. The output of the controlled system is often sent back to
the controller (“feedback control”) forming a closed loop. Negative feedback control
mechanisms serve to reduce the difference between the actual and the desired
behavior of the system. In many cases, specific neural circuits implement feedback
control loops which regulate specific functions.
Analyzing the question of whether the technical or “device approach” to the
brain and the “philosophical approach” can be reconciled, it was concluded that
the brain is a physical structure which is controlled and also controls, learns, and
teaches; processes and creates information; recognizes and generates patterns; and
organizes its environment and is organized by it. It is an “object” of interpretation,
but also it is itself an interpreter. The brain not only perceives but also creates new
reality: it as a hermeneutic device [17].

2.4 NEURAL HERMENEUTICS

Frith [38] is working on establishing a scientific discipline “neural hermeneutics”
dealing with the neural basis of social interaction. The key elements of this approach
is the assumption that the representations of the external world can be shared with
others, and this shared representation may be the basis of predicting others actions
during interactions. Recently active inference and predictive coding was offered [34]
as the basic mechanisms/algorithms of social communication.