The Future of Cognitive Neuroscience? Reverse Inference in Focus
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 4079212 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Marco J Nathan (0000-0002-3675-7465, University of Denver, corresponding author), Guillermo Del Pinal (0000-0002-3919-1778, Leibniz-Centre General Linguistics, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2017 |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue | 7 |
| Publication date | 2017-07-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Philosophy Compass (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1747-9991 • E-ISSN: 1747-9991 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/phc3.12427 |
| OpenAlex | W2729005325 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 7 |
| References cited | 39 |
This article presents and discusses one of the most prominent inferential strategies currently employed in cognitive neuropsychology, namely, reverse inference. Simply put, this is the practice of inferring, in the context of experimental tasks, the engagement of cognitive processes from locations or patterns of neural activation. This technique is notoriously controversial because, critics argue, it presupposes the problematic assumption that neural areas are functionally selective. We proceed as follows. We begin by introducing the basic structure of traditional "location-based" reverse inference (§1) and discuss the influential lack of selectivity objection (§2). Next, we rehearse various ways of responding to this challenge and provide some reasons for cautious optimism (§3). The second part of the essay presents a more recent development: "pattern-decoding reverse inference" (§4). This inferential strategy, we maintain, provides an even more convincing response to the lack of selectivity charge. Due to this and other methodological advantages, it is now a prominent component in the toolbox of cognitive neuropsychology (§5). Finally, we conclude by drawing some implications for philosophy of science and philosophy of mind (§6
Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Cognitive science · Epistemology · Inference · Neuropsychology · Cognitive Neuroscience · Computer Science · Embodied and Extended Cognition · Face Recognition and Perception · Neuroscience · Philosophy · Psychology · Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment · Artificial Intelligence
The Structure of Science
Neural reuse
Emotion and Cognition
Can cognitive processes be inferred from neuroimaging data?
An fMRI Investigation of Emotional Engagement in Moral Judgment
Special sciences (or
Mapping the mind
Neuroscience and the Multiple Realization of Cognitive Functions
Cognitive Ontology and Region- versus Network-Oriented Analyses
Brain-Mind and Structure-Function Relationships
Functional Neuroimages Fail to Discover Pieces of Mind in the Parts of the Brain
The Brain’s Heterogeneous Functional Landscape
Localization and Intrinsic Function
Reverse Inference in Neuropsychology
In Defense of Reverse Inference
Mining the Brain for a New Taxonomy of the Mind
| Unique citing works | 7 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1.17 |
| Citation span | 2020 - 2025 (6) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 7 |