According to the dominant computational approach in cognitive
science, cognitive agents are digital computers; according to the
alternative approach, they are dynamical systems. This target article
attempts to articulate and support the dynamical hypothesis. The
dynamical hypothesis has two major components: the nature hypothesis
(cognitive agents are dynamical systems) and the knowledge
hypothesis (cognitive agents can be understood dynamically). A wide
range of objections to this hypothesis can be rebutted. The conclusion
is that cognitive systems may well be dynamical systems, and only
sustained empirical research in cognitive science will determine the
extent to which that is true.