The Algebraic Mind cover

The Algebraic Mind

by Gary F. Marcus

"In The Algebraic Mind, Gary F. Marcus integrates two competing theories about how the mind works: one that says that the mind is a computer-like manipulator of symbols and another, that says that it is a large network of neurons working together in parallel. Refuting the conventional wisdom that says that if the mind is a large neural network it cannot simultaneously be a manipulator of symbols, Marcus shows how neural systems could be organized so as to manipulate symbols, why such systems explain language and cognition better than systems that eschew symbols, how such systems could evolve, and how they might unfold developmentally within the womb. The Algebraic Mind revamps our understanding of models in cognitive neuroscience and helps to set a new agenda for the field."--BOOK JACKET.

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Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?