The second published collection based on a conference sponsored by the Metroplex Institute for Neural Dynamics -- the first is Motivation, Emotion, and Goal Direction in Neural Networks (LEA, 1992) -- this book addresses the controversy between symbolicist artificial intelligence and neural network theory. A particular issue is how well neural networks -- well established for statistical pattern matching -- can perform the higher cognitive functions that are more often associated with symbolic approaches. This controversy has a long history, but recently erupted with arguments against...

This text addresses the symbolicist artificial intelligence and neural network theory. It explores the issue that neural networks can perform higher cognitive functions often associated with symbolic approaches, as well as outlining the history and theoretical structures of the controversy.