An alternative approach to modeling cognition is discussed which considers not only computer science, parallel distributed processing and neuroscience aspects, but also epistemological issues. The aim is the construction of an adequate cognitive model satisfying epistemological as well as neuroscience claims. This project considers a constructivist point of view, implying that one must rethink the notions of knowledge representation, language, communication, etc. The proposed cognitive model is directly coupled to its environment; that is, there is only physical interaction, and no symbolic instance exists in between. This cognitive system is provided with several sensors and effectors allowing structural coupling to the environment. Computer graphics methods are being used to model the retina. This approach seems to be better than the approaches taken by, for example, orthodox AI, because one is trying to understand and model the phenomenon of cognition from a bottom-up point of view, grasping basic processes first and only then simulating language, communications, etc.
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