IS THE BRAIN A DIGITAL COMPUTER? RETHINKING A BINARY QUESTION. Issue 57 (2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Erden, Yasemin J.
• Is Part Of: Think. Volume 20:Issue 57(2021)
• Page Start: 23
• Page End: 37
• Publication Date: 2021
• Subjects: Philosophy -- Periodicals; 105
• DOI: 10.1017/S1477175620000329
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-1756

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Is the brain a digital computer? What about your own brain? This article will examine these questions, some possible answers, and what persistent disagreement on the topic might indicate. Along the way we explore the metaphor at the heart of the question and assess how observer relativity features in it. We also reflect on the role of models in scientific endeavour. By the end you should have a sense of why the question matters, what some answers to it might be, and why your preferred answer is highly pertinent to any discussion.