SIMULATION AND COGNITIVE PENETRABILITY

Stich, Nichols et al. assert that the process of deriving predictions by simulation must be cognitively impenetrable. Hence, they claim, the occurrence of certain errors in prediction provides empirical evidenc e against simulation theory. But it is false that simulation-derived p rediction must be cognitively impenetrable. Moreover the errors they c ite, which are instances of irrationality, are not evidence against th e (very defensible) version of simulation theory that takes the centra l domain of simulation to be intelligible transitions between states w ith content.