computational-representational theory of thought

The computational-representational theory of thought (CRTT) posits that thinking and mental processes are computational. This theory, also known as the "computer model of the mind," suggests that thinking involves manipulating symbols within a "language of thought".12345

Key aspects of CRTT include:
* Computational Processes: Mental operations are viewed as akin to the mechanical steps of a Turing machine, where symbols are processed based on their form (syntax) rather than their meaning.3
* Representations: Thoughts are represented by "electronic tokens" of sentences, similar to how computers store and process data.12345
* Research Program: CRTT is considered a research program, guiding work in cognitive psychology, linguistics, artificial intelligence, and philosophy of mind, rather than a fully developed theory.12345

While CRTT has faced objections, such as the "homunculi" argument (the idea that it simply posits smaller intelligences within the mind), proponents argue that the mechanical nature of computational steps bypasses this issue. The theory aims to explain mental phenomena through computational architectures, though challenges remain in explaining the intrinsic meaning of mental symbols.15