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The Machine Paradigm and Alternative Approaches in Cognitive Science

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Abstract

In a recent paper called To think human out of the machine paradigm, it is stated that psychological science operates within a machine paradigm that is committed to mechanical causality. In addition, it is emphasizes the epistemological and methodological limitations of explanations based in deterministic mechanics and instead argues for the need of an ‘organic paradigm’ that takes into consideration psychological processes such as subjectivity, inter-subjectivity, and agency. Although there is no doubt that much psychological science has operated under a machine paradigm, we argue that recent psychological research is pursued using a wide variety of approaches and with an absence of a partially integrated meta-theoretical corpus. The present situation looks more like a Tower of Babel of epistemological approaches and empirical programs. The reconsideration of the organic paradigm and an explicitly addressed epistemological framework could constitute a step forward and lead to an explanatory pluralism built on greater dialogue within the psychological sciences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Experimental Psychology & Neurosciences, Institute of Cognitive Neurology (INECO), Castex 3293, CP 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Agustín Ibáñez

  2. National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) & Institute of Neuroscience, Favaloro University, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Agustín Ibáñez

  3. Neuroscience Laboratory, Universidad Diego Portales, Vergara 275, Santiago, Chile

    Pía Aravena & Agustín Ibáñez

  4. Laboratory of Epistemology and History of Medicine (LEPHIM), Instituto Universitario del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Joaquín Barutta

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  1. Joaquín Barutta
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Barutta, J., Aravena, P. & Ibáñez, A. The Machine Paradigm and Alternative Approaches in Cognitive Science. Integr. psych. behav. 44, 176–183 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12124-010-9116-9

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