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Evolution might select constructivism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 1997

James Hurford ,
Sam Joseph ,
Simon Kirby  and
Alastair Reid
James Hurford
Affiliation:
Department of Linguistics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9LL, United Kingdomjim@ling.ed.ac.uk www.ling.ed.ac.uk/~jim
Sam Joseph
Affiliation:
Department of Linguistics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9LL, United Kingdomjim@ling.ed.ac.uk www.ling.ed.ac.uk/~jim
Simon Kirby
Affiliation:
Department of Linguistics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9LL, United Kingdomjim@ling.ed.ac.uk www.ling.ed.ac.uk/~jim
Alastair Reid
Affiliation:
Department of Linguistics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9LL, United Kingdomjim@ling.ed.ac.uk www.ling.ed.ac.uk/~jim
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Abstract

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There is evidence for increase, followed by decline, in synaptic numbers during development. Dendrites do not function in isolation. A constructive neuronal process may underpin a selectionist cognitive process. The environment shapes both ontogeny and phylogeny. Phylogenetic natural selection and neural selection are compatible. Natural selection can yield both constructivist and selectionist solution to adaptuive problems.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 20 , Issue 4 , December 1997 , pp. 567 - 568
Copyright
© 1997 Cambridge University Press