Thoughts on theory theory
Jul. 22nd, 2007 11:55 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sawylI'm currently working on the question of whether theory theory is the best theory we have for explaining mental states. My provisional answer is that it probably is, on the grounds that it fits the facts well and offers a good degree of cognitive economy.
By defining an empirical theory of mind, theory theory allows us to explain what mental states are and what they mean. The theory can be extended to others allowing us to predict their behavour — ok, other theories allow us to do this too — and to ascribe mental states to them via the theory, rather than simply extrapolating from the privileged knowledge of our own minds.
Sounds pretty good to me.
By defining an empirical theory of mind, theory theory allows us to explain what mental states are and what they mean. The theory can be extended to others allowing us to predict their behavour — ok, other theories allow us to do this too — and to ascribe mental states to them via the theory, rather than simply extrapolating from the privileged knowledge of our own minds.
Sounds pretty good to me.
