The new experimental science of physical cognitive systems: AI, robotics, neuroscience and cognitive sciences under a new name with the old philosophical problems?

Abstract

It is likely that in AI, Robotics, Neuroscience and Cognitive Sciences, what we need is an integrated approach putting together concepts and methods from fields so far considered well distinct like non linear dynamics, information, computation and control theory as well as general AI, psychology, cognitive sciences in general, neurosciences and system biology. These disciplines usually share many problems, but have very different languages and experimental methodologies. It is thought that while tackling with many serious ‘hard core’ scientific issues it is imperative, probably a necessary (pre) requisite, that we do serious efforts to clarify and merge the underlying paradigms, the proper methodologies, the metrics and success criteria of this new branch of science. Many of these questions have already been approached by philosophy, but they acquire in this context a scientific nature: e.g.: Is it possible cognition without consciousness? And without ‘sentience’? In the context of AI and neuroscience research various definition of consciousness have been proposed (for example by Tononi, [44], to quote an example liked by the author). How they relate to the previous and contemporary philosophical analysis? Sometimes scientists may look as poor philosophers, and the opposite: philosophers may look as poor scientists, yet, the critical passages of history of science during a paradigm change or the birth of a new discipline have often involved a highly critical conceptual analysis intertwined with scientific and mathematical advancements. The scientific enterprise is now somehow close to unbundle the basic foundation of our consciousness and of our apperception of reality, and, it is clear that there are some circularity issues with the possible ‘explanations’, at least.