International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics

A model of the brain as a vast network of elements (neurons) constantly and simultaneously interacting in multiple and varied ways.

This model has been elaborated by M. MINSKY (1986). It is closely related to von NEUMANN's initial work on reliability in automata; to Mc CULLOCH and PITTS's neuron model, to ROSENBLATT's perceptron (heavily criticized by MINSKY around 1960) and to MINSKY's own early work on a neural network model.

Curiously however, MINSKY manages to construct an impressive, but nearly completely abstract model of the "mind" without practically refering himself to nerves, and still less to neurones, which one should suppose to be the "agents" he invoques as the basic elements whose interactions lead to the emergence of the " mind" as an organized society.

Quite surprisingly, and except for quotes at the begining of each chapter – mostly from novelists and philosophers unrelated to the subject – his book does not contain references to works by biologists, physiologists and neurologists. However it contains numerous figures and graphs that look like abstracted forms of neural connections and paths of interactions. At first Sight, there is thus no incompatibility between his model and neuro-biological research of the last 50 years, of which one may surmise that he has a good knowledge.

The abstract character of his model may have been at least partly motivated by his belief that it would be possible to construct computers (made of interconnected and interactive agents – in this case electronic; and working in parallel), able to mimic higher cerebral and mental functions.

The model could also probably be used to study the "societies of minds", i.e. interactive cooperative minds, which are a universal feature of human groups and in a near future, the massive planetary society of brains that seems to be now in the making.

K. BAUSCH gives an interesting synthesis of many of the foregoing opinions: "Mind emerges from relations among physical entities but is not itself a physical entity. It is an emergent constellation of patterns and processes generated through the interaction of neurons and the general transceiver functions of the brain in interaction with the embedding holographic memory field "(Glossary, pers. comm., 2002)

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