What Is Rational Psychology? Toward a Modern Mental Philosophy

Rational psychology is the conceptual investigation of psychology by means of the most fit mathematical concepts Several practical benefits should accrue from its recognition SOME PROBLEMS closely associated with t,hose of artificial intelligence and cognitive science seem unduly neglected in light of the possible benefits of their investigation. Thcsc are the problems of investigating theories and techniques of natural and artificial psychologies by means of t,he most fit mathematical concepts. The term “rational psychology” labels this investigation. Rational psychology should not, be confused with logic-based presentations of artificial intelligence. While investigations based on mathematical logic are relatively familiar and certainly useful, using only that portion of mathematics to characterize psychologies presupposes that psychological questions are fundamentally logical. That presupposition is not, ncccssary for the development of an exact science of mind. To urge the broader view, the fol@ Copyright 1983 by <Jon Doyle This research was supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DOD), ARPA Order No 3597, monitored by the Air Force Avionics Laboratory under Contract F33615-81-K-1539 The views and conclusions contained in this document xc those of the author, and should not he interpreted as representing the official policies, eit,her expressed 01‘ implied, of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency or the Government of the Ilnited States of America lowing briefly explains the idea of rational psychology, places it among its associated fields, and indicates some of its likely