Defined Quote by Jerry Fodor
“I take it that computational processes are both symbolic and formal. They are symbolic because they are defined over representations, and they are formal because they apply to representations, in virtue of (roughly) the syntax of the representations.”
About This Quote
Source Lecture: Unknown academic talk on cognition, null
Describes computational processes as both symbolic (representation‑based) and formal (syntax‑driven).
In simple terms: Computations use symbols and formal syntax.
Key Takeaway
Study both symbolic and formal aspects of cognition.
Themes
cognition
computer science
philosophy
logic
semantics
Mood
technical
academic
Type
philosophical
technical
When to use this quote
- AI research
- cognitive science
- philosophy of mind
Key Concepts
symbolic representation
formal syntax
computational theory
mind‑language interface
Questions to Reflect On
- How do symbolic and formal elements interact?
- What limits arise from purely symbolic models?
A Different Perspective
Focusing only on one aspect may miss integrated understanding.
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