Pylyshyn’s paper provides a broad perspective on the topic of information science from the perspective of cognitive science. It is a wide ranging “Philosophy of Science” discussion of the recent historical developments in information and control theory, cognitive science, and artificial intelligence.

His paper consists of essentially two parts. One part provides a general overview of the role and relationships of cognitive science. The other part provides an argument for the existence of a distinct discipline of cognitive science. The paper is then followed by comments by five researchers (Michale Arbib, Michael Gazzaniga, Saul Gorn, Allen Newell, and George Miller) with different perspectives. Not all of the commentators view the history of cognitive science in the same light as Pylyshyn. Nor do they all subscribe to the value of an independent disciple of cognitive science.

All parts of the paper are interesting and well presented. However, I believe that the largest audience will be interested in the first section; those who have a direct interest in cognitive science as a distinct discipline will be interested in the later sections.