BI 113 David Barack and John Krakauer: Two Views On Cognition

David and John discuss some of the concepts from their recent paper Two Views on the Cognitive Brain, in which they argue the recent population-based dynamical systems approach is a promising route to understanding brain activity underpinning higher cognition. We discuss mental representations, the kinds of dynamical objects being used for explanation, and much more, including David’s perspectives as a practicing neuroscientist and philosopher.

“Juggling Philosophy and Neuroscience” by Daphne Cornelisse.

• David’s webpage.
• John’s Lab.
• Twitter: 
  • David: @DLBarack
  • John: @blamlab
• Paper: Two Views on the Cognitive Brain.
• John’s previous episodes:
  • BI 025 John Krakauer: Understanding Cognition
  • BI 077 David and John Krakauer: Part 1
  • BI 078 David and John Krakauer: Part 2

Timestamps

0:00 – Intro
3:13 – David’s philosophy and neuroscience experience
20:01 – Renaissance person
24:36 – John’s medical training
31:58 – Two Views on the Cognitive Brain
44:18 – Representation
49:37 – Studying populations of neurons
1:05:17 – What counts as representation
1:18:49 – Does this approach matter for AI?