Architectures for neural network knowledge processing

Summary form only given, as follows. The great majority of computational cognitive models have adhered to the physical symbol system hypothesis (PSSH) of Newell. An approach that seems to be incompatible with the PSSH is that of parallel distributed processing (PDP), or connectionism. It is a controversial issue as to whether PSSH or PDP is a better characterization of the mind. At the root of this controversy are two questions: what sort of computer is the brain, and what sort of programs run on that computer? A theory is presented which bridges the apparent gap between PSSH and PDP approaches.<>