<p>Yes. Computer science is one of central disciplines of cognitive science. In fact, the dominant, central dogma of modern (i.e., the last 50 years) cognitive science is that cognition <em>is</em> computation. This SEP article elaborates on this thesis:</p>

<p><a href="http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/computational-mind/" rel="nofollow">http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/computational-mind/</a></p>

<p>Even if you don't think that cognition is computation, you would still likely think that computer science is relevant to cognitive science insofar as CompSci is necessary for computational modeling of any phenomena. For example, some dynamical systems theorists would use computational, dynamical models of cognitive processes, even if they aren't claiming that the mind is <em>computing</em> differential or difference equations. (Just like we might use differential equations to model hurricanes, even if we maybe don't think the hurricane itself is computing the equations.)</p>

<p>I'm less sure of what is considered "creativity studies", exactly, but I can imagine that computer science would be relevant. For example, CS -- and linguistics -- is definitely interested in questions like "How are an infinite number of expressions created from finite means?" Different kinds of grammars -- like regular grammars vs context-free grammars -- have different 'creative' powers. Creativity here is more defined in purely formal terms, as opposed to perhaps the semantic/artistic terms that you may have in mind. But, I and many others would argue, formal creativity and semantic/artistic creativity are intimately related.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-22T20:17:02.537Z
2016-10-25T22:12:31.027Z
2016-10-25T22:12:31.027Z
Russell Richie
<p>Does Computer science(or computationalism) has any role to play in Cognitive science or Creativity studies?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-23T03:56:49.847Z
There is a big difference between computational math (math to the nth degree) and a "computer" which is a machine representative of nothing really. Insofar as cognition goes you would have to ask what is it you see when you look into your "computer" for cognitive science applications to be valid. As humans we are not machines...yet we do make machines interestingly.
Doctor Zhivago
<cognitive-psychology><cognitive-neuroscience><computational-modeling><creativity><metacognition>
Does Computer science has any role to play in Cognitive science?
Akarsh Kandala
# Does Computer science has any role to play in Cognitive science?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-10-22)

Does Computer science(or computationalism) has any role to play in Cognitive science or Creativity studies?

**Tags:** cognitive-psychology, cognitive-neuroscience, computational-modeling, creativity, metacognition

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: There is a big difference between computational math (math to the nth degree) and a "computer" which is a machine representative of nothing really. Insofar as cognition goes you would have to ask what is it you see when you look into your "computer" for cognitive science applications to be valid. As humans we are not machines...yet we do make machines interestingly.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-10-22. Score: 2

Yes. Computer science is one of central disciplines of cognitive science. In fact, the dominant, central dogma of modern (i.e., the last 50 years) cognitive science is that cognition *is* computation. This SEP article elaborates on this thesis:

<http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/computational-mind/>

Even if you don't think that cognition is computation, you would still likely think that computer science is relevant to cognitive science insofar as CompSci is necessary for computational modeling of any phenomena. For example, some dynamical systems theorists would use computational, dynamical models of cognitive processes, even if they aren't claiming that the mind is *computing* differential or difference equations. (Just like we might use differential equations to model hurricanes, even if we maybe don't think the hurricane itself is computing the equations.)

I'm less sure of what is considered "creativity studies", exactly, but I can imagine that computer science would be relevant. For example, CS -- and linguistics -- is definitely interested in questions like "How are an infinite number of expressions created from finite means?" Different kinds of grammars -- like regular grammars vs context-free grammars -- have different 'creative' powers. Creativity here is more defined in purely formal terms, as opposed to perhaps the semantic/artistic terms that you may have in mind. But, I and many others would argue, formal creativity and semantic/artistic creativity are intimately related.


---

