Review by Choice Review
The subtitle is explained in Chapter 1: "The project of constructivist AI is to explore Piaget's theory by the methodology of artificial intelligence: testing a theory of the mind by building a mechanism that works according to that theory, and seeing to what extent the mechanism displays the abilities that the theory was supposed to explain." Drescher describes the various details of the "schema mechanism" he developed to implement a computer program that simulates and tests Piaget's classic and influential theories of the stages of cognitive development and the process of learning in infants. Drescher also discusses related issues such as the problem of induction, and the relationship of the schema mechanism to alternative AI approaches. He concludes by explaining what the project has achieved, and equally important, what has yet to be done. A stimulating book dealing with an important area related to learning; it should be in the library of every institution where graduate courses in AI or cognitive science are taught. Level: advanced undergraduate and up.-R. Bharath, Northern Michigan University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
