Skip to content

What makes a problem a problem is not that a large amount of search is required for its solution, but that a large amount would be required if a requisite level of intelligence were not applied.

— Allen Newell and Herbert Simon (1975)

Another quote →

More quotes by Allen Newell

A unified theory of cognition is a single set of mechanisms that cover all of cognition—problem solving, decision making, routine action, memory, learning, skill, perception, and motor behavior.

Unified Theories of Cognition (1990)

The Physical Symbol System Hypothesis. A physical symbol system has the necessary and sufficient means for general intelligent action.

Computer Science as Empirical Inquiry: Symbols and Search (1975)

Heuristic Search Hypothesis. The solutions to problems are represented as symbol structures. A physical symbol system exercises its intelligence in problem solving by search—that is, by generating and progressively modifying symbol structures until it produces a solution structure.

Computer Science as Empirical Inquiry: Symbols and Search (1975)

All Allen Newell quotes →

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Allen Newell (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.