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Evolution, generative entrenchment and the bounds of rationality
Konrad Talmont-Kaminski
Marie Curie-Sklodowska University
Two issues Bounded rationality theory claims all
reasoning heuristic in nature Why should this be the case?
Hume’s problem of induction defines the field of possible epistemic processes, both for reasoning & evolution
What about development of new heuristics? Hume’s problem of induction forces development
of new heuristics to proceed by broadly evolutionary means
Bounded rationality
Heuristics all the way up Herbert Simon The Sciences of the
Artificial 3rd ed. 1996 Perfect rationality a bad model Satisficing not optimising
Heuristics Rules-of-thumb Heuristics all the way up Adaptations to scientific theories
Simple heuristics used outside bounded rationality Kahneman & Tversky Dual process accounts of reason
Fast, frugal, etc. Bill Wimsatt Re-engineering Philosophy of
Limited Beings 2007 Broad characterisation of heuristics
Fallible Frugal (and fast, too) Systematically biased Problem transforming Have specific uses Developed from other heuristics (Exapted)
Is it heuristics all the way up?
Hume & heuristics
Exaptation & heuristics Jerry-built products of evolution
Evolutionary history Building a Ferrari from a Morris MM Developmental pathways
Exaptation Using existing traits for new functions Feathers in dinosaurs and birds
Human reason Typical product of evolution Kahneman & Tversky studies Collection of heuristics
Is human reason bounded because of evolution?
Dual process accounts Jonathan Evans & others Heuristics
System 1 Evolutionarily old
Logical Thinking System 2 Evolutionarily new
Problem People do use logic Human reasoning is bounded
How does system 2 work?
Humean ‘dualism’? Hume’s 2 ‘systems’
Habits – heuristics Reasons – System 2
Hume – the original dual process theorist? No
Problem of induction 250 years of looking for solution Problem affects deductive reasoning, also
System 2, either Runs into problem of induction Heuristics that use logical features of environment
A naturalist Hume A different view of the problem of induction
Not a problem A basic epistemic limit Hume’s fact of reasoning
Heuristics are the response Heuristics wherever Hume’s ‘Problem’ Relevance to evolution?
Heuristics all the way down Evolution is back-ward looking
Adaptations suit previous environments Not necessarily future ones Environmental changes may lead to extinction
Arms races (cheetahs & gazelles)
Evolution short-sighted due to problem of induction Adaptations are also heuristics
Hume’s problem is the fundamental epistemic limit Determines what evolutionary processes possible Determines what cognitive processes possible
Open-endedness andgenerative entrenchment
Evolution & engineering Contrast between
Evolutionary processes Small changes Every step must be satisficing
Engineering projects Novel solutions Only end product satisfices
Evolutionary landscape Wheel
Evolutionary products more limited? In one sense, yes Most limits due to
Evolutionary histories Developmental paths
Open-ended bounded rationality Human reason bounded but open-ended
Develops and obtains new abilities Consists of a set of heuristics but
Develops new heuristics Exapts existing heuristics to novel functions
Open-endedness makes it possible to transcend particular limitations While still remaining bounded
Open-endedness key trait of evolution & cognition
Engineered systems either Closed ‘end-products’ and of little interest Open-ended
Step-wise development & GE Hume’s problem forces
Open-ended systems to develop in step-wise manner Generative entrenchment (GE)
Existing heuristics make new heuristics possible Wheel required for automobile
The more connections the more entrenched New transport systems & existing infrastructure
Human pyramid GE results from open-ended development
History/development paths significant for all open-ended systems
Development of open-ended engineered systems will have basic traits of evolutionary change
Evolution & artificiality Artificial systems
Etymological root - artifice Adapted to their environment
By evolution By engineers
Some traits explained in terms of environment Atrophy of eyes in cave animals Structure of the tire
Conclusions Hume’s ‘problem’ of ‘induction’
The basic epistemic limit Applies to all artificial systems
Forces the use of heuristics Limits how open-ended artificial systems can
develop Forces the use of evolutionary processes
One more pyramid
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