The Rocky Road Towards Defining the Mind

This study scrutinizes the essence of intelligence through the lens of search theory, enriched by philosophical insights and computational paradigms. We critically analyze Herbert Simon's foundational idea of intelligence as search, revealing its limitations in capturing the complexity of human cognition. Emphasizing the role of imagination – a neglected aspect – we explore how it simplifies intricate realities by reshaping search spaces through conceptual frameworks and classifications. Our exploration navigates between materialistic reductionism and dualist views of the mind, scrutinizing neural mechanisms versus the intuitive aspects of mental phenomena. Ultimately, we advocate for an integrated perspective of intelligence that goes beyond algorithmic problem-solving to embrace creativity and the nuanced depths of human thought.