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Evolution might select constructivism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 1997

James Hurford
Affiliation:
Department of Linguistics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9LL, United [email protected] www.ling.ed.ac.uk/~jim
Sam Joseph
Affiliation:
Department of Linguistics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9LL, United [email protected] www.ling.ed.ac.uk/~jim
Simon Kirby
Affiliation:
Department of Linguistics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9LL, United [email protected] www.ling.ed.ac.uk/~jim
Alastair Reid
Affiliation:
Department of Linguistics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9LL, United [email protected] www.ling.ed.ac.uk/~jim

Abstract

There is evidence for increase, followed by decline, in synaptic numbers during development. Dendrites do not function in isolation. A constructive neuronal process may underpin a selectionist cognitive process. The environment shapes both ontogeny and phylogeny. Phylogenetic natural selection and neural selection are compatible. Natural selection can yield both constructivist and selectionist solution to adaptuive problems.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
© 1997 Cambridge University Press

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