Intentionality of Strong Anticipation in Motor Behaviors

Pezzulo (2008) and Grush (1997, 2004, 2007) highlight, even insist, the role of representation and internal models in anticipatory systems, in contrast to the role of adaptivity in the so-caled ‘mere adaptive systems’. The present paper argues against their claim, by alternatively arguing that the strong anticipation—anticipation without employing internal models—is primordial in the making of the anticipatory behavior, while internal models are supplementary in the light of efficiency. A novel notion of intentionality is raised for strong anticipatory behaviors, based on the history of on-line adjustments. The supplement of internal models on the top of a strong anticipatory system makes the resulting anticipatory system a Popperian machine, and consequently more flexibile.