Modelling multiple mind-matter interaction

Relations between mental and physical aspects of an agent can be of various types. Sensing and acting are among the more commonly modelled types. In agent modelling approaches often this is the only ion between the physical and mental; other possible types of interactions are abstracted away. If it is also taken into account that the agent's mind has a materialisation in the form of a brain, the relations between mind and matter may become more complex. An explanation of a dynamic pattern may involve mental aspects, physical aspects, and interactions between mental and physical aspects. An explanatory perspective sometimes advocated for such more complex phenomena is explanatory pluralism. According to this perspective an explanation can consist of parts of a different signature, for example, a partial physical explanation, and a partial mentalistic explanation. Each of these partial explanations is insufficient to explain the whole phenomenon, but together they do explain the who...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2002
• Where: IJMMS
• Authors: Catholijn M. Jonker, Jan Treur
• Keywords: Commonly Modelled Types, Explanation, IJMMS 2002, Physical Aspects