The Universal Problem Solver: Viewing the Mind as a Difference Engine

Abstract

Research on Artificial Intelligence and Psychology has traditionally been heavily intertwined. Thus, it is surprising that the ideas of Marvin Minsky (1927-2016) have not gained more interest among researchers in Psychology. One specific idea that persisted over decades in Minsky’s work was that of the mind as a difference-engine. The idea posits that as soon as there is a goal, the mind works to reduce or eliminate the important differences between the current state and some desired goal. Several aspects of this idea precede Minsky and have already proved fruitful for psychological researchers, yet there are aspects that deserve further work.