ABSTRACT

This chapter argues that understanding is a matter of the ability to simulate, and claimed that we simulate by means of mental models. It discusses the internal structure of effectors. The chapter discusses the way in which simulors are made up, and, to some extent, the organisation of the simulors themselves. Mutors are the building blocks of mental models, just as bricks are the building blocks of houses. This does not entail that all mutors are in a mental model, any more than all bricks are part of a house. Effectors serve to simplify our mental models, and bring them down to a size that can be stored in the mind. Mental models are hierarchical structures, with three main levels. The lowest level consists of mutors, which are concrete particulars: little engines which transform their inputs in a particular way, and send them on to other parts of the mind.