Before revision: Fodor's list of features characterizing modules includes the following: Domain specific (modules only respond to inputs of a specific class, and thus a "species of vertical faculty" (Fodor, 1996 / 1983 :37) Innately specified (the structure is inherent and is not formed by a learning process) Not assembled (modules are not put together from a stock of more elementary subprocesses but rather their virtual architecture maps directly onto their neural implementation) Neurologically hardwired (modules are associated with specific, localized, and elaborately structured neural systems rather than fungible neural mechanisms) Autonomous (modules independent of other modules) Fodor does not argue that this is formal definition or an all-inclusive list of features necessary for modularity.
After revision: Fodor's list of features characterizing modules includes the following: Domain specific (modules only respond to inputs of a specific class, and thus a "species of vertical faculty" (Fodor, 1996 1983 :37) Innately specified (the structure is inherent and is not formed by a learning process) Not assembled (modules are not put together from a stock of more elementary subprocesses but rather their virtual architecture maps directly onto their neural implementation) Neurologically hardwired (modules are associated with specific, localized, and elaborately structured neural systems rather than fungible neural mechanisms) Autonomous (modules independent of other modules) Fodor does not argue that this is formal definition or an all-inclusive list of features necessary for modularity.