Representation of feature systems in a non-connectionist molecular machine

Abstract

This paper is part of an enterprise whose aim is to represent linguistic knowledge in the form of a molecular machine (a dynamic network). That is, the molecules of the network not only store, but also send, receive, and process information. It is claimed that such a network can be conceived of as a model of the coalition structure of a connectionist network. The paper describes how the class of feature systems called unary feature hierarchies (whose importance is supported by phonological theory but will not be argued for in the paper) can be represented in the molecular machine.