Synthetic epistemology: the acquisition, retention, and expression of knowledge in natural and synthetic systems

The multi-disciplinary study of mind, brain, and behavior has reached a point where we seem to be confronted with the dilemma of studying either the computational mind or the dynamical brain. This paper points out that only one problem is hidden behind the multiple challenges facing the traditional computational program: the problem of a priori. It is shown that the central component in a solution of this problem focuses on the nature of the knowledge ascribed or implemented by cognitive systems. A research program called the synthetic epistemology is defined, which aims at addressing this question. As an example of this approach the modeling series of distributed adaptive control is described. This modeling series, which reflects elements of the behavioral paradigms of classical and operant conditioning and has been shown to be consistent with aspects of the correlated neural substrate, provides an alternative unifying perspective to the dilemma facing the study of mind, brain, and behavior.