Paul Thagard

University of Waterloo

Papers

4

Total Citations

195

H-Index

4

About

Paul Thagard is a towering figure in cognitive science, best known for his pioneering work on cognitive architectures and the philosophical foundations of mind. His highly cited 2012 paper, "Cognitive Architectures," provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the representations and processes that underlie intelligent thought, from problem solving to learning and memory. With over 66 citations, this work has shaped how researchers model human cognition and design artificial intelligence systems. Thagard’s interdisciplinary reach extends to robotics and philosophy of mind, as seen in his 2008 paper "Robosemantics: How Stanley the Volkswagen Represents the World" (53 citations), which explores how machines represent reality. More recently, his 2022 paper "Energy Requirements Undermine Substrate Independence and Mind-Body Functionalism" (42 citations) challenges traditional functionalist views by arguing that real-world information processing is fundamentally tied to material energy constraints. A prolific author and editor of "Mind Readings: Introductory Selections on Cognitive Science" (1998, 34 citations), Thagard has profoundly influenced debates on consciousness, representation, and the limits of AI. His work remains essential reading for anyone exploring the intersection of mind, computation, and biology.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

4
H-Index
4
Papers
195
Total Citations
49
Avg Citations/Paper
🏆 Most Cited Paper
Cognitive architectures
66 citations · 2012
📈 Most Prolific Year: 2012 (1 Papers)
🤝 Key Collaborators: 1
🏛 Institutions: University of Waterloo

Top Papers

  1. 1
    Cognitive architectures
    66 citations · 2012
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links

Available for collaboration
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