Exploring the nature and laws of human cognition, research strategy focuses on methodology of systems science

Abstract: An unspoken assumption of systems science is that everything exists and operates in a systematic way. It can be understood from a system perspective. All problems need to be dealt with systematically. A series of questions about cognition are no exception.

First, research background and methods

In 2000, when humankind had just crossed the threshold of the new century, the National Science Foundation and the US Department of Commerce jointly funded more than 50 scientists to carry out a research project to clarify which disciplines were leading disciplines in the new century.

The result of the study was a 680-page research report, but the conclusion was only 4 letters - NBIC. They represent nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and cognitive science. Among these four leading disciplines, cognitive science is considered to be the most important leading discipline.

At present, research on cognitive science in countries around the world mainly focuses on two strategies: The first is to establish a computer model of cognitive processes, for example, to make decisions, and then to carry out the model's operating conditions and the behavior of human subjects under similar conditions. Compare to further refine the model. This is the so-called "dry cognitive science" strategy; the second is to study the effects of electrical or chemical stimulation on the human brain, to observe the effects of brain damage, or to record the brain activity of subjects undergoing various information processing operations. The so-called "wet cognitive science." It is widely believed that an important source of all theoretical difficulties and practical difficulties in cognitive science lies in the lack of a real understanding of the nature of human cognition and intelligence.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature and rules of human cognition. The research strategy focuses on the methodology of system science. It reveals the nature of cognitive systems from the perspective of systems science and the functions of cognitive systems in selective memory, recognition and learning. The mechanism and mechanism.

Second, the boundaries of the cognitive system

An unspoken assumption of systems science is that everything exists and operates in a systematic way. It can be understood from a systems perspective. All problems need to be dealt with systematically. A series of questions about cognition are no exception.

Bertlanfi thinks that the beauty of system theory is that it is psychologically-physically neutral, that is, its concepts and models can be applied to both material phenomena and non-material phenomena. This shows that psychological (or cognitive) is an immaterial phenomenon, and non-material phenomena can also be analyzed as a system.

About cognitive systems, the founder of System Philosophy, Owen Laszlo, defines: systems composed of mental events, including perception, feelings, emotions, will, temperament, thoughts, memories, and imagination - that is, any Things in the mind.

With regard to the relationship between psychology and physics, Irving Laszlo stated in his book Introduction to Systems Philosophy: "According to our theory, we can observe and describe people in two perspectives if we introspect. From the perspective of view, man is a cognitive system composed of mental events, and from the outside, he is a natural system composed of physical events. When considering human freedom, we must study these two perspective images in depth, and then People are integrated into the general concept of psycho-physical, natural-cognitive systems."

However, according to the information science viewpoint, information exists in non-material form, but it cannot separate from matter. It must rely on a certain material form and be carried by a certain material, and it can carry the material form of information. Called the carrier of information, there is no naked information in the world that leaves the material carrier. Therefore, the cognitive system that studies non-material forms must not ignore the carrier of its material form. The information carrier of the cognitive system is actually the neuron that constitutes the human nervous system.

If we consider the neurons that make up the human nervous system as carriers of information, and integrate the relationship between information and information carriers into the concept of the natural-cognitive system, then we can observe the human body through dual perspectives. The human body consists of a non-physical cognitive system and a natural system of physical forms (or physiological systems). The nervous system composed of neurons is the link between the cognitive system and the physiological system. From the perspective of the physiological system, it is a tangible and indispensable component of the system; from the perspective of the cognitive system Look, it bears only the role of information carrier.

Third, the function of the cognitive system

The function of the nervous system in the Chinese Medical Encyclopedia is described as follows:

"The nervous system is an important functional system of the human body, accepting and integrating information from the internal and external environment, regulating and controlling various functions of the human body and realizing intellectual activities such as thinking, memory and learning." "Reflection is the regulation of the nervous system The basic way of functioning."

"Every reflection has its own reflex arc." "In Pavlov's view, psychological activity is also a reflex activity. It is a more complex reflection that is achieved through the advanced parts of the brain called conditioned reflexes. Non-conscious reflexes are called non-conditional reflexes, unconditional reflexes are congenital reflexes that do not need to be established, and conditional reflexes are reflexes that are gradually established on the basis of unconditioned reflexes and in the course of individual life. ”

If the principle of cognition-natural system of Irving Laszlo is adopted, and cognition is regarded as an invisible information system, and the nervous system is regarded as the carrier of information carrying cognition, then the function of the nervous system is actually recognized. Know the function of the system. Because, in the process of control, what really works is not the carrier, but the information on the carrier.

Therefore, the function of the cognitive system has such characteristics: (1) Control. The cognitive system is the control center of the physiological system, and the relationship with the physiological system is a relationship between control and being controlled; (2) Receiving and processing information. The cognitive system has the function of receiving and integrating information both within and outside the physiological system; (3) Passing information. The function of the cognitive system is achieved through the integration, processing and transmission of information. Different control functions are actually the functions of different information combinations. Because, each reflection has its own reflection arc; (4) Link information. The various combinations of information in the cognitive system are linked to each other. Because conditioned reflexes are based on non-conditioned reflections.

Fourth, the structure of the cognitive system

Beta Longfi's definition of the system is: "The system is a complex of elements that are interacting." Qian Xuesen defines the system as follows: "The system is a combination of several components of interaction and interdependence that have specific functions. Organic whole.

From this it can be seen that not everything can be called systemically. The real system must have two characteristics: (1) it is an organic whole with specific functions; (2) the integral part is Interaction and interdependence.

So is the information in the cognitive system an organic whole? Is the information component that makes up the cognitive system interactive and interdependent? If so, what is the logical relationship between the information components? What constitutes the organic whole?

The above problems may have to start with the fundamental purpose of the cognitive system to control the physiological system, that is, what is the fundamental purpose of the cognitive system to control the physiological system? If we say that apart from the answer to “make the living body able to survive in a complex environment” The second answer is, then, the question of whether the information in the cognitive system is an organic whole will be solved. Because the fundamental purpose of control can be the logical core of information, as long as there is a logical core, we can connect all the information in the cognitive system in an organic whole around the logical relationship with “survival”. See Figure 1 for details.

In the figure, A is the fundamental purpose of the survival of the system. B, C, and D refer to the reflex arc (or information combination) formed around the logical relationship with A. Among them, B, C, and D in the physiological information system are In the physiological system, the internal information reflection arc formed by the logical relationship with A has its fundamental purpose to keep the physiological system always in its best state; while B, C, and D in the environmental information system revolve around the logic of A. The external information reflected arc formed by the relationship. Its fundamental purpose lies in two aspects: On the one hand, it acquires the resources related to the demand information from the environment based on the demand information issued by the physiological information system; on the other hand, it avoids the factors that may adversely affect the survival of the system in the natural environment.

It is not difficult to see from the figure that the relationship between conditional reflection, non-conditional reflection and physiological information system is like a tree, in which the root part is the physiological information system formed around the logical relationship with A, responsible for the physiological structure. Non-conditional reflections of regulation and information feedback; Trunk A is the fundamental purpose of system survival; The twig part is the “unconditional reflex” in which the environmental information system revolves around the logical relationship with A and is composed of fixed neurons; the treetop part is environmental information. The system revolves around the "conditional reflex" formed by temporary neuronal connections on the basis of non-conditional reflections with the logical relationship with A.

From the distribution of the human nervous system, the environmental information system should be the information carried by the neurons located in the upper part of the medulla in the nervous system. The physiological information system should be the information carried by the neurons located below the medulla oblongata. Because, when the neurons in the upper part of the medulla necrosis, the vital signs do not disappear, and the various organs in the physiological structure can still operate normally, but there is no independent behavior and consciousness. For example: vegetative.

V. Information storage and expression of cognitive systems

"Dream" is a form of consciousness that is usually expressed in people's minds in the form of sensory information. There are many forms of dreams. Sometimes they can smell flowers in their dreams, they can hear birds, and they can even dream of things that cannot exist in reality. Then, how did the dream come about? Freud said in the book “Analysis of Dreams”: When we consider the relationship between dreams and life, when dreams are drawn, we know that researchers from ancient times to the present All agree that people will dream about what they do when they wake up, and what they are interested in during the day.

In addition to Freud's conclusion that can explain the source of the dream is the memory or storage of sensory information in the brain, but also can explain the other two aspects of the problem: First, the sensory information and memory information is the way to express each other. Because the sense of smell, hearing and visual information are obviously different. If sensory information and memory information do not correspond, then it is impossible to reproduce various feelings in a dream. Second, the cognitive system has the function of reorganizing information. Because dreams come from real life, but they are different from real life.

Then, how does the cognitive system realize information reorganization? The answer to this question can be found in the relationship between information and information carriers. Because the information carrier is a tool for carrying information, if different information carriers carry different information, the information carriers carrying different information can be connected together to form different information combinations.

In life, the carrier of information is a neuron. If an event in memory is linked by several neurons that carry sensory information, events will inevitably change when the links between neurons that carry sensory information change. Just like filmmakers in the production process, any editing of the film may produce the same fantastic visual effects. The film is the information carrier and the image on the film is information. But the premise of editing must be that the information is expressed in the same way, that is, it is either digitally shot or filmed, otherwise it must first be converted by information. If we call the memory linked by several neurons as information, then the content carried by each neuron should be called an information unit.

It can be seen that the cognitive system's information storage and expression should have such characteristics: (1) The information representation of the cognitive system corresponds to the sensory information; (2) The information carrier in the cognitive system is the unit. The information stored by each carrier unit is an information unit; (3) The combination of information units can be achieved through links between information carriers, and the same information unit can be completely duplicated in different information combinations. use. Because, the contact between neurons is varied, there are radiation, polymerization, and loop type.

Sixth, control plan and information unit combination in cognitive system

1. Control plan and information unit combination

According to cybernetics, complex controls also need to store information that is temporarily not available for later retrieval when needed, as well as eliminate information that has failed. The operation of all information depends on the transmission of information. The control process is always a communication process. Obviously, Wiener's conclusion is also summed up from the organism. Because the subtitle of Cybernetics is about the science of control and communication in animals and machines.

According to this logic, a complex control system like the human cognitive system must “store a large amount of temporarily unused information in case it needs to be extracted later”. If we call the backup information in cybernetics as a "control plan," what is the "control plan" stored in the cognitive system and what is the combination of information?

It is known that "reflection is the basic way in which the nervous system regulates various functions of the body" "each reflection has its own reflex arc". Therefore, the control plan of the cognitive system is actually a reflection arc that can form reflections. Different control plans are actually different reflection arcs.

The reflex arc consists of five parts: receptor, afferent nerve fiber, central nerve, efferent nerve fiber and effector. Among them, the main role of afferent nerve fibers and efferent nerve fibers is the incoming and outgoing information channels. The main part of the reflex arc should be the three parts of the sensor, the center, and the effector. The basic process of information operation is that the sensor accepts environmental information (internal and external)—inspires the information carried by the central—and activates the effector function.

From the basic process of information operation, it is easy to see that the susceptor bears only “simple information”, the center is carrying “information + functional instructions”, and the effector is based on “information + functional instructions”. Demonstrate specific functions for specific information. Therefore, the so-called control plan should be reflected in the central part of this link.

If the fundamental purpose of the cognitive system's control of the physiological system is survival, then the information accepted by the sensor must be selective. The choice must be logically related to the “survival,” and the environment can interact with "Living" constitutes a logical relationship of information can be divided into two categories: one is the physiological needs of information; the other is the possible harm to the physiological information.

In the same way, there is a logical relationship between the central control plan and "survival." The control plan that can form a logical relationship with survival can also be roughly divided into two categories: One is how to obtain the physiological needs in the environment; the other is how to avoid the unfavorable factors in the environment. There is a logical relationship between the function of an effector and "survival," that is, the ability to acquire demand and avoid adverse factors in a specific environment.

It can be seen from this that although the different reflex arcs operate, the information and their roles are different. However, the logical goals of each other are the same, and they all revolve around "survival." Since the reflex arc center is generally composed of several neurons, if the information carried by each neuron is regarded as an information unit, then the information unit combination of the control plan should be "environmental information unit + effector instruction information. unit".

Because the environmental information collected by the sensor is not the information related to the “survival”, the function of the effector is also the “acquisition”-related acquisition and evasion of the exercise behavior. Therefore, the so-called "environmental information unit + effector instruction information unit" may be simply referred to as "substance information unit + behavior information unit".

2. Physiological needs and physiological precautions

If the fundamental purpose of the cognitive system's control of the physiological system is to enable the system to survive in a complex natural environment, then logically speaking, in addition to the precondition for obtaining physiological needs, the cognitive system should also have a physical precaution. Because, being free from environmental factors is also a prerequisite for survival. The "synaptic inhibition function" of inhibitory interneurons in the central nervous system precisely illustrates this problem.

According to the Encyclopedia of Chinese Medicine, there are inhibitory interneurons in the central nervous system. When they are excited, their axon terminals release inhibitory transmitters, which can make the postsynaptic membrane hyperpolarized and reduce excitability. Post-synaptic neurons Therefore, it is not easy to be excited and information transmission is suppressed.

In the conduction path of the nervous system, a variable number of inhibitory interneurons are often inserted, and the excitability of neurons in the pathway is adjusted by way of post-synaptic inhibition, ie, coordination of activities between the respective reflection centers. Among them, the pre-synaptic inhibition has a long incubation period and a long duration of inhibition. It is a very effective inhibitory effect and is widely found in the central nervous system.

Physiologically, there has been no clear conclusion about the role of inhibitory interneurons. Now, if the role of inhibitory interneurons is linked to the logical goal of survival, then its role is manifested as "physiological precautions." In terms of physiological information systems, the so-called physiological precautions should be measures that must be taken when the function of a component of a physiological system reaches the limit. In terms of environmental information systems, the so-called physiological precautions actually prevent the physiological structure in the environment. A series of means and ways to be harmed.

In this way, two main lines of physiological needs and physiological precautions are formed in the cognitive system. Both reflect the positive and negative aspects of the same thing, and its role is to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. When the reflex arc of the acquired demand is likely to cause harm to the physiological structure, the reflex arc of the physiological defense will be suppressed by synaptic inhibition.

For example, beast meat can be used as human food, but living beasts may cause harm to humans. Therefore, beasts or wild beasts must be controlled under the premise of ensuring personal safety. Otherwise, they can only give up this demand. And take evasive measures.

Among them, “to ensure their own safety” is a red line drawn by “physiological precautions” for “acquiring physiological needs”. If we can achieve control of the beast within this red line or cause wild beasts to die, the act of acquiring demand can continue. Otherwise, the plan to start physical precautions will take measures to avoid risks while suppressing demand plans.

Since the nature of physiological precautions is a necessary measure for certain factors in the internal and external environment of the system, the information combination of the physical precaution plan should be combined with the information of the physiological demand plan, and they are all “substance information units + behavior information”. unit".

Seven, independent link between information

The function of autonomous linking between information is actually the function of cognitive system learning. Specifically, it is to link the useful information in sensory information to the information chain of the cognitive system so as to enhance the cognitive function of the cognitive system. Then, how do you actually achieve autonomous linking between information? First, let's look at a news report.

According to a report from a new science and technology report, Berger, a biomedical engineer at the University of Southern California, funded by the United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is conducting an experiment: Berger is in the experimental body by mimicking the signals of nerves in long-term memory. The brain is implanted with this chip that stimulates memory and tries to see if it can evoke lost memory. This revolutionary experiment has also successfully translated the memories of rats and monkeys into memory codes. Now it is testing the brains of a patient with epilepsy, hoping to allow him to recover memories.

The above report provides us with the clue that imitating the electrical pulse emitted by a neuron can repeatedly stimulate the excitation of the neuron.

Analysis: Memory is the non-physical information in the human brain. The information carrier is a neuron. During the process of information transmission, the neuron generates electrical pulses or secretes chemical media. Therefore, electrical pulses and chemical media should be the storage and expression of human body information. If you simulate the electrical impulses or chemical agents emitted by neurons, you can repeatedly stimulate the excitation of neurons. That means that a neuron fires another neuron on the premise that the two neurons carry the same or similar information.

The principle of this excitement transfer between neurons is actually the principle of establishing a temporary connection between neurons. In the same way, a neuron repeatedly excites another neuron and finally realizes the process of fixed link between synapses, which is actually the process of establishing a fixed connection between neurons.

It can be seen that the premise of autonomous linking between information carriers should be "the information carried by one information carrier is basically the same or similar to that carried by another information carrier". Under this premise, not only one information carrier can excite another information carrier, but also it may promote the generation of a link between two information carriers. Whether the link between information carriers is fixed or not is actually the fixing of links between information.

Eight, the selective link between information and the logical sequence of links

If one neuron is excited, it can inspire another excited neuron with similar information. Does that mean that any sensory information that is the same or similar to the cognitive system can be linked to the cognitive system? No.

Because the cognitive system's control of the physiological system is run through a series of control plans that enable the physiological system to survive in a complex and changing natural environment. The purpose of the information link is to increase the functionality of the original plan. In order to increase the function of the original plan, it is necessary to use one plan to link another supplementary plan. Since the information combination of the plan is "substance information unit + behavior information unit", the linked information must be a combination of "substance information unit + behavioral information unit" that has a logical relationship with each other, rather than a single information unit. Or other types of information combinations.

In addition, if we say that the cognitive system adds the original control plan function, a control plan links another supplementary control plan. Then, the link between the pre-proposals and the preplans must be a kind of behavior from simple to complex.

For example, after the information of the water shortage (survival demand) of the physiological system is transmitted to the center, it stimulates the center to acquire the reflex arc of water, and at the same time, stimulates the sensor in the reflex arc to search the water for information in the environment. When the sensor transmits the information of the water in the environment, After giving the center, it stimulates the central plan, and the instruction effector implements the behavior of obtaining water according to the information provided by the sensor.

If the basic plan of the reflex arc center is to swallow only the water in the mouth, the information in the memory is that someone takes water, drinks water, and then swallows water in the environment. At this time, since the “swallow (behavior information unit) water (substance information unit)” in the plan is the same as the “drinking water” information combination in the memory information, an information link is generated between the two. The logical relationship between each other is: I want to swallow the water, and the object imitated is also swallowing water. Therefore, the action before imitating the subject “swallowing water” must be able to obtain water.

The way the information is linked is overlapped at this stage of "swallowing water". The process of information linking is like a film producer's editing of a movie. It is only necessary to superimpose two films taken at different times in the same scene to show the effect of continuous shooting.

Only the logical sequence of movie clips and information links is different. Movie clips are generally "cause" first and "effect" later, while information links are "effect" first and "cause" later. For example: A person drinks water. The process of movie editing is that a person picks up the cup, pours the water from the cup into his mouth, and then swallows the water; and the process of linking the information is to swallow the water, pour the water from the cup into his mouth, and then take the cup. However, in the concrete implementation of the motion system, information conversion is needed to reverse the logic sequence, ie, reverse execution.

It can be seen that the condition for selective linking between information is that the "substance information unit + behavioral information unit" is the same or similar; the way of linking is to overlap the same or similar combination of information units; the order of links is an inverted causal relationship.

In the same way, with respect to the control plan for physiological precautions, the same is true of the selective links between the information and the logical sequence of links. Only the "purpose" of the behavior differs. One is for acquisition and the other is for prevention. If physiological needs and physiological precautions are viewed as the two main lines of survival, then the intersection of these two main lines must be the same, or a similar combination of "substance information units + behavioral information units".

For example: A hunter once saw that a man was caught and bitten by a beast when he was “about fifty meters away from the beast,” and linked this memory to the hunter’s physical precautions. Then this "distance of about 50 meters from the beast" is the intersection of the physical demand plan and the physical precaution plan. When the hunter is approaching a distance of 50 meters from the beast in the process of hunting, the control plan for physiological precautions will be activated, inhibiting the hunter from continuing to approach the beast. Unless the hunter can shoot the wild beast 50 meters away, he will have to give up hunting because of fear of suppression.

Sometimes there will be a pair of contradictions between physiological needs and physical precautions. This contradiction is mainly reflected in the time when they cross each other. In daily life, people often appear hesitant or worried, in fact, is the result of the intersection of physiological requirements and physiological precautions. "One bite by a snake, fear of wells for ten years" is the best portrayal.

When confronted with an intersection, people have to weigh the pros and cons, and the process of weighing the pros and cons is actually looking for the same behavior in the memory information. The roots of human “happiness, anger, sadness, and joy” can also seek clues from the interaction between “physiological needs” and “physiological precautions.”

IX. Conversion of information units

Maybe each of us has this kind of experience. When we want to eat a dish but don’t know how to burn it, the easiest way is to first look at how others burned the dish, and then follow the instructions of others. Cooking programs cook dishes. This process is actually a process of learning and a process of information linking.

However, information units need to be converted during the process of information linking. Because the premise of the cognitive system is "substance information unit + behavioral information unit", in which the behavioral information unit is actually the instruction of the movement system, and the information received by the senses is only the action of others cooking. Therefore, if you want to convert the movements of others in the sensory information into their own exercise system instructions, you must first match the movements of other people in the sensory information with their own exercise system instructions, and then add the sensory information. The other person's actions are converted into action information units that have the role of instructions.

If we call the actions of others in the sensory information as “object behavior information units” and call their own movement system instructions “subject behavior information units”, then the process of information transformation is actually the process of “object behavior”. The process of converting an information unit into a "body behavior information unit".

In addition, because our human way of learning is not only through visual imitation, we can also learn through text and verbal communication. Therefore, the conversion between information units should be varied. In addition to the conversion between the "object behavior information element" and the "subject behavior information element", there is a conversion between the "word information element" and the corresponding "sensory information element" and the "language information element" and the corresponding "sense" Conversion between information units, etc. For example: To hear the sound of a “dog” in someone’s mouth, or to see a “dog” from a book, it immediately reminds us of the appearance of a dog once seen.

Although words and languages ​​also belong to the category of sensory information, almost all sense information can be described in words and languages ​​due to too many connotations in words and languages. Therefore, the various connotations in language and text must be converted into corresponding sensory information.

For example, when people read the word 'rose' in the reading process, they immediately think of the appearance of a rose, and even think of the smell of roses. This is actually information conversion. The reason why "text information" and "language information" must be converted into corresponding "sensory information" is because "text information" and "language information" cannot directly correspond to information in a reflex arc. Unless we remember the language and words can not be converted to the corresponding sensory information. For example, a strange symbol or an incomprehensible language, and such information can only be used as information in the garbage.

X. Memory and Recognition of Information Units

Everything in the world was gradually recognized by each of us after we opened our eyes for the first time. The process of this understanding is the process of memory. At first, in our memory, it was just the appearance of all things in the world. Then we gradually added all things in the world to our own interests in memory. When we accumulate a certain degree of understanding of everything in the world, we have the ability to survive independently in a complex and ever-changing natural environment.

The above process can be roughly divided into two phases: The first phase is the memory and recognition of sensory information; the second phase is the link and implementation between cognitive systems and memory information. Obviously, the “memory and recognition” of information units is the basis for the “linking and implementation” of information units. Without this foundation, the so-called cognitive system is like no skin hair. Therefore, whether or not the cognitive system is powerful depends on the amount of information that is stored and the ability to identify information.

1. memory. The previous analysis shows that the cognitive system's information storage and expression has three characteristics: (1) The information representation and sensory information of the cognitive system correspond to each other; (2) Information stored in the cognitive system The carrier is unitary, and the information stored by each carrier unit is an information unit; (3) The combination of information units can be achieved through links between information carriers, and the same information unit can be in different information. Repeated use in combination.

The first characteristic shows that the memory of the cognitive system is partitioned according to the form of sensory information and corresponds to each other. We know that the senses of the human body are seen, heard, smelled, tasted, and touched in five forms. In a sense, these five forms are also five different perspectives for people to observe the same thing. Therefore, storing these five forms of sensory information separately and then responding to each other can fully reflect the overall appearance of things.

For example, "Bird" in visual information and "Bird" in auditory information are stored in "Visual memory area" and "Aural memory area", respectively. Although the information types of the two are different, they are expressed in the same way. thing. Therefore, the correspondence between the neurons corresponds to each other. The second and third features illustrate that the cognitive system's memory is very economical and flexible. Since the information carrier in the cognitive system is unitary, the information stored by each carrier unit is an information unit, and the combination of information units can be achieved through the link between information carriers, and the same information unit can Reuse in different combinations of information. Therefore, it is possible not only to avoid consuming a large amount of storage space due to repetitive storage of information units, but also to create more convenient conditions for reorganization between information units.

2. Identification. The process of identification is actually the process of comparison between sensory information and memory information. As far as physiology is concerned, the process of recognition is that the sensory information stimulates the excitement of the central nervous system. In terms of technical principles, the identification process is: "Input signal - start the same or similar symbol in the database - outgoing signal" process.

(1) Memory and identification of material information units. The ability of the identification of the physical information unit depends entirely on the integrity of the material information unit in the memory information. If the material information unit in the memory information can only show one side of the material, then the identification of the material information unit must be one-sided. As the so-called "cross-viewing into the side of the peak, different levels from far and near." Therefore, in theory, the material information unit in memory should be a holographic image composed of numerous micro-information units. This is because only in this way is it possible to identify the substance information unit at any angle in the sensory information. In fact, people's habit of observing things in their daily lives is exactly the same. When people discover something new, they always like to go around the new things, even use their ears to listen to them, and use their noses to smell them. Hand to touch. Because in order to make new things form a more complete holographic image in memory.

如果说某个感官信息能够激发记忆库某个信息单元中90%以上的微信息单元,那么可以说这个感官信息中必然存在某类物质信息单元。如果说某个感官信息能够激发记忆库某个信息单元中99%以上的微信息单元,那么可以说这个感官信息中的物质信息单元几乎就是记忆库中的那个物质信息单元。显然,前者可以作为物质的种类识别,后者可以作为物质的个体识别。

(2) 客体行为信息单元的记忆与识别。由于行为往往是一个过程,而不仅仅是一个特定的形态。因此,客体行为信息单元应该是某个运动器官的运动轨迹。例如: “走”这个行为信息单元所体现应该是两只脚( 运动器官) 在地面上交叉移动的轨迹。“跑”这个行为信息单元所体现的应该是存在双脚同时离地的移动轨迹。

显然,某个运动器官的运动轨迹不是一个静态信息,而是一组动态信息。从摄影技术的角度上看,静态信息与动态信息之间的差别仅仅是数量上的差别,前者可以是一张照片,后者必须是一组连续拍摄的照片。这也正是物质信息单元与客体信息单元在记忆或者存储方面的差别。

由此可见,识别“客体行为信息单元”的技术原理与识别“物质信息单元”的技术原理完全一样。只不过物质信息单元的识别是比照特定形态的相似度,而客体行为信息单元的识别却是比照某个运动器官变化轨迹的相似度。由于对“客体行为信息单元”识别能力的高低,完全取决于记忆中行为信息单元的完整与否。因此,客体行为信息单元也不应该是某个侧面的运动轨迹,而应该是全息的运动轨迹。

客体行为信息单元的种类繁多,其中包括表情和肢体语言等等。一般来说,客体行为信息单元是与自身同类的行为,应该是能够与主体行为信息单元相互对应的。由于彼此之间的功能完全相同,因此可作为模仿的对象。无法与主体行为信息单元对应的客体行为信息单元,可以称之为另类行为信息单元。比如说:鸟的行为——飞。

十一、认知系统的信息流程

如图所示: 生理系统为有形的物质层面,是人体在物质层面上的基本组成。图中所标的“内需求信息” 指的是生理结构运行上的一些需求。比如说,生理结构中各个局部之间的平衡等等。之所以称之为内需求信息,是因为解决这些需求无需借助于系统的外部因素。

生理信息系统为认知系统的子系统,是生理系统结构的控制中心,负责监控生理系统内各个局部的运行情况,其反射弧( 控制预案) 针对生理系统内各个局部在运行过程中的内需求,以维持生理系统中各个局部之间的平衡。图中所标的“外需求信息”指的是必须依靠外部因素才能解决的一些列生理需求。例如,水和食物这些代谢层次上的需求只能从系统之外部环境中获取。

非条件反射为认知系统之环境信息系统的信息基础,反射弧中的神经元联系是固定性的,是人体能够在特定环境中生存的基本认知功能。例如:新生儿饥饿时会出现吸允的动作,吸允不成便会啼哭。其中的饥饿是生理系统中的外需求信息,吸允是获取需求的一种行为方式,啼哭是求助的行为方式。

当生理系统中出现外需求的情况时,生理信息系统激发非条件反射( 环境信息系统) 中与该需求相关的反射弧中枢,并激发感官系统在环境中收集与需求相关的信息,反射弧中枢收到感官系统反馈回来的环境信息之后会出现两种可能: 1、根据环境信息,反射弧能够获取环境中的需求———向运动系统发出获取需求的运动指令; 2、 根据环境信息,反射弧无法获取环境中的需求———激发条件反射中与该需求相关的反射弧中枢。

条件反射为非条件发射的上层建筑( 或者说是非条件发射的分支和延伸) ,是非条件反射之反射弧功能的补充,神经元之间的联系为后天建立的、暂时性的。当非条件反射激发条件反射中与该需求相关的反射弧中枢时,同时激发感受器在环境中收集与需求相关的信息。

反射弧中枢收到感受器反馈回来的环境信息之后,仍然会出现两种可能:1、根据环境信息,反射弧能够获取环境中的需求———向运动系统发出获取需求的运动指令;2、根据环境信息,反射弧无法获取环境中的需求———激发记忆信息中的相关信息,经信息转换实现信息之间的链接( 学习) 。

信息转换的作用是将感官信息中的客体行为信息单元转换为具有指令功能的主体行为信息单元,或者是将语言和文字中所表述的内容转换为相应的感官信息等等。一般体现在信息链接的过程中。

信息记忆是存储感官信息的地方,因感官信息的类型不同而划分不同的信息库。信息的载体是单元式的,每个载体所承载的信息为一个信息单元,所有的信息都是由一系列的载体单元相互链接而形成的。如果不同类型的感官信息所表达的是同一个事物则通过载体联系的方式相互对应。例如:玫瑰花(语言) ——玫瑰花( 文字) ——玫瑰花( 视觉) ——玫瑰花( 气味) 信息识别的过程其实就是感官信息与记忆信息相互对应的过程。

信息识别与环境信息和信息记忆库之间的连线是双向的,分别表示主动识别和被动识别。主动识别是根据信息记忆库中的信息在环境中寻找相关的信息,被动识别是对被动接收到的环境信息进行识别。由于识别的依据是信息库中已经存储的信息单元。因此,识别环境信息的过程也是存储感官信息的过程,即存储识别的路径。

收集信息指的是感官系统或者感受器在生理系统的内、外环境中收集的各类信息,与生理系统之间的连线表达两个方面的意思: 一方面的意思是生理系统的内部信息也是环境信息;另一个方面意思是运动系统获取和防范的行为并非是由一个反射弧就能完成的,而是必须根据实时的环境信息由若干次反射完成的。

从理论上来说,如果说认知系统控制生理系统的根本目的是生存,那么,感官对于环境信息的收集便必然是具有选择性的,选择的对象必须是与自身的“需求”相互关联的环境信息。反之,任何事物只要跟自身的需求挂上钩都可以成为感官系统的选择对象。例如: 一道数学题与做完这道数学题才能吃饭。

指令信息指的是认知系统控制生理系统中的各项功能性指令或者运动系统的指令,与条件反射、非条件反射和生理信息系统之间的连线表示指令信息的来源,与生理系统之间的连线表示指令信息的去向———生理系统中的运动系统或者说是效应器。

从以上内容中不难看出,认知系统的信息流程大体上可划分为纵横两个方面。反射弧中从“感受器”到“效应器”之间的信息传递属于横向信息运行,即收集信息(效应器) 传入到条件反射或者非条件反射( 中枢) 传出到生理系统(效应器) ;而各个反射弧中枢之间的信息运行则属于纵向信息运行,即“生理信息系统”和“环境信息系统”各个层次的反射弧中枢之间的信息传导,以及记忆信息与条件反射中枢之间的信息传导和链接。

十二、人的认知系统与计算机的软件系统

由于计算机模仿的对象是人体的大脑。因此,计算机与人体之间有着诸多的相似之处:

(1) 计算机和人体都是由控制系统和被控制系统所组成的。计算机的控制系统是软件系统,被控制系统是计算机的硬件结构; 人体的控制系统是认知系统,被控制系统是生理系统。

(2) 控制原理基本相同。计算机和人体的控制系统都是通过信息的运行来实现对被控制系统的控制。

(3)控制系统与被控制系统的纽带相同。在计算机和人体中“控制系统与被控制系统”的纽带都是信息载体。计算机的信息载体是软件系统中的磁盘,人体的信息载体是神经系统中的神经元。

计算机软件系统与人体认知系统之间的差异主要体现在两个方面:

(1) 信息的存储方式不同

计算机软件系统的信息载体为模块式的,所有的信息均集中存储于一个或者若干个磁盘或者硬盘中。而人体认知系统的信息载体却是单元型的,信息载体的数量达百亿之多,每个载体单元( 神经元) 所承载的信息为一个信息单元,所有的信息均是通过信息载体单元之间的串联而形成的。因此,人的认知系统可以通过变换信息载体(神经元)之间的联系方式自主变换认知系统中的信息组合,而计算机的软件系统则不可以。

(2) 控制系统的逻辑目标不同

生命体认知系统所遵循的是生理需求的逻辑,终极的逻辑目标只有一个——“生存”,各类信息围绕着“生存”这个逻辑目标构成了一系列“如何才能在自然环境中生存”的预案,而这一系列预案又围绕着生存的逻辑目标承上启下地构成了一个有机的整体;而计算机软件系统所遵循的却是二进制的数学逻辑,由一系列数学逻辑目标各不相同的功能模块叠加而成,相互之间仅仅是兼容,无法形成一个有机的整体。

因此,生命体的认知系统具有选择性记忆和选择性链接信息的功能( 学习的功能) ,并能够借助于这方面的功能不断地增强生命体在复杂多变的环境中的认知能力。而计算机的软件系统则不可以。

由此可见,计算机软件系统与人体认知系统之间的差异仅仅是理念上的,而且这些理念是完全可以在现代技术条件下被复制的。只不过要想让计算机的智慧达到甚至超过我们人类尚需要大量的人力、物力和时间。

因为,我们人类的神经系统是由数以百亿计的神经元所组成的,这就意味着我们至少要为计算机设置数以百亿计的信息单元载体( 或者具有相似作用的数据库单元) ,并具有不亚于人类识别能力的信息单元识别技术,计算机的智慧才有可能通过不断地学习逐渐地赶上和超过我们人类。

而当这一天终于到来的时候,也绝不可能是我们人类的末日。因为,认知系统的逻辑核心是“生存”,而智能计算机的生存必须依赖于我们人类,所以再聪明智能计算机也绝不可能成为我们人类的敌人,只能是我们人类的工具。

十三、结束语

当生物学的研究已经深入到分子层面上时, 许多人都觉得“对生物的认识越来越清晰了”,而有一个人却觉得“对生物整体的认识反而模糊了”,并由此而萌发了想要改变传统思维方式的念头。这个人便是系统科学的创始人奥地利生物学家贝塔朗菲。

贝塔朗菲强调必须把有机体当作一个整体或系统来研究,才能发现不同层次上的组织原理。其代表作《一般系统论》的基本思想是,把所研究和处理的对象当作一个系统,分析系统的结构和功能,研究系统、要素、环境三者之间相互关系和变化的规律。

研究结果表明,一般系统论的基本思想是完全正确的,认知的奥秘并非埋藏在生命体的细微之处,而是体现在系统、要素、环境三者之间的相互关系当中;认知的基本原理并非是我们人类永远无法理解的难题,而是以往尚未意识到的理念。希望这一研究进展能够为认知科学以及智能技术的发展起到抛砖引玉的作用。 本文由于篇幅的原因,不得不省却了许多细节。不足之处还望各位读者多多批评指正。

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