A unified perspective on explaining dynamics by anticipatory state properties

Abstract

In Cognitive Science, recently Dynamical Systems Theory (DST) has been advocated as an approach to cognitive modelling that is better suited to the dynamics of cognitive processes than the symbolic/computational approaches are. Often the differences between DST and the symbolic/computational approach are emphasized. However, if two approaches are used also their commonalities can be analysed, and a unifying framework can be sought. In this paper the possibility of such a unifying perspective on dynamics is analysed. The analysis does not only cover dynamics in the cognitive discipline, but also in other disciplines: Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science. The unifying perspective warrants the development of integrated approaches covering both DST aspects and symbolic/computational aspects. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.