Papers on neuroscience of reasoning by Francisco Salto Alemany
Brain Informatics
Introduction Logically valid deductive arguments are clear examples of abstract recursive computa... more Introduction Logically valid deductive arguments are clear examples of abstract recursive computational procedures on propositions or on probabilities. However, it is not known if the cortical time-consuming inferential processes in which logical arguments are eventually realized in the brain are in fact physically different from other kinds of inferential processes. Methods In order to determine whether an electrical EEG discernible pattern of logical deduction exists or not, a new experimental paradigm is proposed contrasting logically valid and invalid inferences with exactly the same content (same premises and same relational variables) and distinct logical complexity (propositional truth-functional operators). Electroencephalographic signals from 19 subjects (24.2 ± 3.3 years) were acquired in a two-condition paradigm (100 trials for each condition). After the initial general analysis, a trial-by-trial approach in beta-2 band allowed to uncover not only evoked but also phase as...
Scientific Reports, 2021
Neuroscience has studied deductive reasoning over the last 20 years under the assumption that ded... more Neuroscience has studied deductive reasoning over the last 20 years under the assumption that deductive inferences are not only de jure but also de facto distinct from other forms of inference. The objective of this research is to verify if logically valid deductions leave any cerebral electrical trait that is distinct from the trait left by non-valid deductions. 23 subjects with an average age of 20.35 years were registered with MEG and placed into a two conditions paradigm (100 trials for each condition) which each presented the exact same relational complexity (same variables and content) but had distinct logical complexity. Both conditions show the same electromagnetic components (P3, N4) in the early temporal window (250–525 ms) and P6 in the late temporal window (500–775 ms). The significant activity in both valid and invalid conditions is found in sensors from medial prefrontal regions, probably corresponding to the ACC or to the medial prefrontal cortex. The amplitude and intensity of valid deductions is significantly lower in both temporal windows (p = 0.0003). The reaction time was 54.37% slower in the valid condition. Validity leaves a minimal but measurable hypoactive electrical trait in brain processing. The minor electrical demand is attributable to the recursive and automatable character of valid deductions, suggesting a physical indicator of computational deductive properties. It is hypothesized that all valid deductions are recursive and hypoactive.
Cortex, 2023
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
Brain Informatics, 2023
Introduction Logically valid deductive arguments are clear examples of abstract recursive computa... more Introduction Logically valid deductive arguments are clear examples of abstract recursive computational procedures on propositions or on probabilities. However, it is not known if the cortical time-consuming inferential processes in which logical arguments are eventually realized in the brain are in fact physically different from other kinds of inferential processes. Methods In order to determine whether an electrical EEG discernible pattern of logical deduction exists or not, a new experimental paradigm is proposed contrasting logically valid and invalid inferences with exactly the same content (same premises and same relational variables) and distinct logical complexity (propositional truth-functional operators). Electroencephalographic signals from 19 subjects (24.2 ± 3.3 years) were acquired in a two-condition paradigm (100 trials for each condition). After the initial general analysis, a trial-by-trial approach in beta-2 band allowed to uncover not only evoked but also phase asynchronous activity between trials. Results showed that (i) deductive inferences with the same content evoked the same response pattern in logically valid and invalid conditions, (ii) mean response time in logically valid inferences is 61.54% higher, (iii) logically valid inferences are subjected to an early (400 ms) and a late reprocessing (600 ms) verified by two distinct beta-2 activations (p-value < 0,01, Wilcoxon signed rank test). Conclusion We found evidence of a subtle but measurable electrical trait of logical validity. Results put forward the hypothesis that some logically valid deductions are recursive or computational cortical events.
The glossary is an open work: the number and contents of all its entrances are updated and submit... more The glossary is an open work: the number and contents of all its entrances are updated and submitted to revision by editors and authors. For this reason, this first edition is only a first step in the active development of this collaborative methodology. Any interested reader wishing to contribute, may contact the general editors. This glossary is most indebted to the enthusiasm and work of José María Díaz Nafría. The editorial team, authors and correctors thank the Universidad de León and Caja España for their support to this initiative.
International Journal of Developmental and Educational Psychology. Revista INFAD de Psicología., 2018
El envejecimiento no es un descubrimiento del siglo XXI. Sin embargo, lo que sí es inédito es que... more El envejecimiento no es un descubrimiento del siglo XXI. Sin embargo, lo que sí es inédito es que el colectivo de personas mayores supere en número al resto de la población en muchos países del mundo. En los últimos años ha habido una proliferación de estudios empíricos acerca del envejecimiento, la cognición, emoción y su interacción. En el momento actual, un creciente número de investigaciones muestran que las emociones se mantienen intactas en la vejez contribuyendo a mejorar el rendimiento en tareas cognitivas. Esta investigación ofrece una visión global de los aspectos que regulan las emociones en la función cognitiva de las personas mayores.
Entendemos el concepto de “negación mínima” en el sentido clásico definido por Johansson. El prop... more Entendemos el concepto de “negación mínima” en el sentido clásico definido por Johansson. El propósi-to de este artículo es definir la lógica positiva mínima Bp+, y probar que la negación mínima puede introducirse en ella. Además, comentaremos algunas de las múltiples extensiones negativas de Bp+. “Minimal negation” is classically understood in a Johansson sense. The aim of this paper is to define the minimal positive logic Bp+ and prove that a minimal negation can be inroduced in it. In addition, some of the many possible negation extensions of Bp+ are commented.
Bulletin of the Section of Logic, 2005
The concept of constructive negation we refer to in this paper is (minimally) intuitionistic in c... more The concept of constructive negation we refer to in this paper is (minimally) intuitionistic in character (see [1]). The idea is to understand the negation of a proposition A as equivalent to A implying a falsity constant of some sort. Then, negation is introduced either by means of this falsity ...
We define two extensions of Lewis' S3 with two versions of Peirce's Law. We prove that bo... more We define two extensions of Lewis' S3 with two versions of Peirce's Law. We prove that both of them have the Ackermann Property.
Factótum: Revista de …, 2000
Información del artículo En el umbral de la computabilidad.
Memoria ID-0240. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovacion docente, curso 2015-2016.
Memoria ID-037. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovacion docente, curso 2013-2014.
Memoria ID-0266. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovacion docente, curso 2014-2015.
The Turning Points of the New Phenomenological Era, 1991
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Papers on neuroscience of reasoning by Francisco Salto Alemany
The methodological proposal aims at opening a space for the interweaving of different scientific frameworks (characterized by specific paradigms and methodologies) to delve into the very landscape of information, searching for a transdisciplinary treatment of theoretical, technical and practical problems concerning information. It is based on an already active interdisciplinary International community and a critical mass of research groups at the global level. By means of bridging these communities, a new transdisciplinary science of information might emerge as an integrated framework in which information will be considered in all its formal, natural, cognitive, social, technical, ethical and philosophical aspects.
Keywords: Science of Information, General Theory of Information, information content, information measure, information ethics, philosophy of information, information technologies