Variable Binding

• CAs alone don't solve all the problems.
• You need to have more flexible processing to deal with problems like the red-square problem and rules (if X gives Y to Z, the Z possess X).
• There was a lot of criticism of connectionist systems in the 80s that they couldn't deal with these problems.
• Variable binding solves these particular problems.
• In the rule constants are bound to the variables. So I gave a book to Mel binds the variable X to I, Y to a book, and Z to Mel.
• I, book, Mel, gave and possess can all be CAs.
• In the red-square example, you bind the two items together.
• In associative memory the binding is semi-permanent.
• In variable binding, the binding is not permanent.