The Trouble With Brain Scientists

Famous brain scientist Gary Marcus opines today that neuroscience needs more theory–

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/07/12/opinion/the-trouble-with-brain-science.html?_r=0

Not more data, apparently.

As a philosopher who read most of the theory of mind books written and wrote my own, I am very sure this guy is very wrong.

There are about five theories that explain everything and bridge everything, and the question is which is right.

It’s probably a “neurons are virtual transistors” (or the reverse). And the only thing left is to prove it. Find that Christmas Tree 1987 image in a particular activation pattern of my neurons = QED.

Philosphers started working on these questions before Christ. The first psychology department was created after William McKinley. Neuroscience perhaps after JFK.

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