Marta Halina (University of Cambridge), “Intuitive Physics in Nonhuman Animals”

Abstract:

Comparative psychologists have spent the last few decades examining whether nonhuman animals understand the physical world in a way that is similar to humans. Broadly, human intuitive physics is thought to include a collection of abilities, such as knowing that solid objects continue to exist even when no longer perceived and that objects tend to fall unless prevented from doing so. In this talk, Marta introduces the empirical research program dedicated to investigating intuitive physics in nonhuman animals. She then shows how current research in this area encounters problems of underdetermination. Finally, she proposes a route forward: computational modelling combined with signature testing.