Newell's problem

Newell's problem addresses a challenge in understanding how physical systems, such as the brain, generate intelligent behavior. Specifically, it questions how many different ways there are for a system to produce a particular output or solve a problem, considering the many internal configurations it can have. This issue highlights the complexity in modeling cognition and the difficulty in predicting system behavior because multiple internal states can lead to the same result. Essentially, it explores the relationship between a system’s internal dynamics and its observable actions, emphasizing the intricacy of deciphering how intelligent responses arise from underlying structures.