Natural and Artificial Parallel Computation

These eleven contributions by leaders in the fields of neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and cognitive science cover the phenomenon of parallelism in both natural and artificial systems, from the neural architecture of the human brain to the electronic architecture of parallel computers.

The brain's complex neural architecture not only supports higher mental processes, such as learning, perception, and thought, but also supervises the body's basic physiological operating system and oversees its emergency services of damage control and self-repair. By combining sound empirical observation with elegant theoretical modeling, neuroscientists are rapidly developing a detailed and convincing account of the organization and the functioning of this natural, living parallel machine. At the same time, computer scientists and engineers are devising imaginative parallel computing machines and the programming languages and techniques necessary to use them to create superb new experimental instruments for the study of all parallel systems.

Michael A. Arbib is Professor of Computer Science, Neurobiology, and Physiology at the University of Southern California. J. Alan Robinson is University Professor at Syracuse University.

Contents: Natural and Artificial Parallel Computation, M. A. Arbib, J. A. Robinson. The Evolution of Computing, R. E. Gomory. The Nature of Parallel Programming, P. Brinch Hansen. Toward General Purpose Parallel Computers, D. May. Applications of Parallel Supercomputers, G. E. Fox. Cooperative Computation in Brains and Computers, M. A. Arbib. Parallel Processing in the Primate Cortex, P. Goldman-Rakic. Neural Darwinism, G. M. Edelman, G. N. Reeke, Jr. How the Brain Rewires Itself, M. Merzenich. Memory-Based Reasoning, D. Waltz. Natural and Artificial Reasoning, J. A. Robinson.

Michael Arbib has played a leading role at the interface of neuroscience and computer science ever since his first book, Brains, Machines, and Mathematics.From Neuron to Cognition provides a worthy pedagogical sequel to his widely acclaimed Handbook of Brain Theory and Neural Networks. After thirty years at University of Southern California he is now pursuing interests in “how the brain got language” and “neuroscience for architecture” in San Diego.