The Mind within the Net: Models of Learning, Thinking, and Acting

by Manfred Spitzer

Book Overview

A highly readable, non-mathematical introduction to neural networks--computer models that help us to understand how we perceive, think, feel, and act.

How does the brain work? How do billions of neurons bring about ideas, sensations, emotions, and actions? Why do children learn faster than elderly people? What can go wrong in perception, thinking, learning, and acting? Scientists now use computer models to help us to understand the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0262692368
• ISBN13: 9780262692366
• Release Date: February 2000
• Publisher: MIT Press
• Length: 376 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Reaffirms a new era - outstanding

As a psychiatrist who is concerned about reconciling psychoanalytic and neurophysiologic perspectives, this book provides a substantial foundation to this endeavor. I find the book notably helpful in teaching analytic and psychodynamic approaches to new psychiatrists. It begins to suggest a new discourse through which clinical practice may be described. I am thankful that we have this book and look forward to more work by Manfred Spitzer.

Excellent!

I have had difficulty getting a good understanding of neural networks from other books which are heavily based in math. Everything in this book was very easy to absorb and the quality of the content puts most books to shame. The way the author connects neural network models to real life situations is excellent. This book is a must have for anyone doing anything with neural networks.

Are neural networks the basis for brain function?

Even though I'm not a neuroscientist or neural computing expert, I found this book to be an excellent discussion of neural networks and how they seem to at least provide models for (and may actually be the primary mechanism of) brain function.In the book's three sections ("Basics", "Principles", and "Applications"), Spitzer's lucid writing describes neural networks, current concepts in learning, how cortical organization relates to networks, and many specific examples which describe how research is illuminating the challenging topic of how the mind works.His illustrations complement the text perfectly, he cites references as needed, he provides a glossary of the terms he uses, and his index provides quick access for review.This book has been a pleasure to read, and I hope the author updates it as research progresses.

Exceptionally clear

This exceptionally clear and lucid books describes with masterful clarity the recent advances in the area of theoretical modeling of the human brain using artificial neural networks. It not only introduces a subject which normally requires a considerable amount of mathematics very clearly, but also explores the consequences on such modeling on our everyday's life with great clarity. Other books with less mathematics and more "philosophy" are also not so easy to read, but this one stands out for its clarity. Admittedly the level is introductory, as fine details are not covered, but it makes you feel that you must immediately start to go deeper on these subjects, as it is written in a very engaging style. Reading this book is a great intellectual pleasure.

English translation describing Neural Networks without GREEK

Nearly every publication that touches computational neuroscience is saturated with mathematics. Spitzer accurately depicts the defining characteristics of neurons, and presents abstract network models with very little emphasis on the mathematical theory that other authors believe is necessary to describe neural networks.It's refreshing to experience a book that describes complex, technical issues, but reads more like an entertaining story.