Identity (Identity)

by George Jelliss , Crewe, Wednesday, August 26, 2009, 20:29 (5566 days ago) @ dhw

Concerning the issue of "free will" I've recently come across these ideas that may be relevant: - Perceptual control theory - http://www.brainstorm-media.com/users/powers_w/whatpct.html - Quote from near the end: - "The explanation is simply that the planning level of the brain plans not actions, but perceptions." /// "These are requests for perceptions, not commands for actions. They are, in fact, reference signals. The higher system, once it has specified what the control system is to perceive, has no more to do with creating those perceptions. The closed causal loop takes care of operating the steering wheel" [i.e. controls] "so that the actual perceptions continue to match the reference perceptions, even as the reference perceptions change. At the same time, it alters the actions as needed to counteract the effects of any and all disturbances that could make the perception depart from the reference perception." - Also: - http://www.perceptualcontroltheory.org/overview.html - Quote:
"PCT stands in contrast to the stimulus-response model of behavior associated with B. F. Skinner, and to the cognitive science model. These older models attempt to explain behavior either do not recognize or do not clearly understand control. Behavior is neither just caused by stimuli in the environment nor is it blind execution of internal plans. Behavior is not an end result. It is an integral part of the closed loop process which controls perception."

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GPJ