Synthetic ethology was developed as a methodology for constructing experiments in which artificial agents could exhibit real (i.e., not simulated) intentionality and other mental phenomena. This report has two purposes. The first is to review the motivations for synthetic ethology as an experimental methodology and to explain how it can be used to investigate intentionality and meaning, and the...

Claudia Mettke-Hofmann, Michael Wink, Hans Winkler, and Bernd Leisler Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Department of Biological Rhythms and Behaviour, Von-der-Strasse 7, 82346, Andechs and Institute of Behaviour, Free University of Berlin, Haderslebener Strasse 9, 12163 Berlin, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120 Heide...