The Computational Theory of Mind

The Computational Theory of Mind suggests that the mind operates like a computer, processing information through complex "programs" and "data" within the brain. It views mental activities—such as thinking, reasoning, and perceiving—as functions of computational processes. Essentially, the brain receives input from the senses, processes it according to certain rules, and produces output like thoughts or actions. This perspective treats mental states as representations manipulated in systematic ways, similar to how software runs on hardware, emphasizing that understanding the mind involves understanding the algorithms and data processing that underlie our mental functions.