Neuro-symbolic networks: introduction to a new information processing principle

Neural networks and symbolic systems are two different approaches to model cognitive functions. Both methods have certain strengths but also suffer from a number of weak points, which are however disparate. By combining characteristics of neural and symbolic processing, these weaknesses could be overcome. This paper introduces a new information processing principle based on so-called neuro-symbolic networks, which incorporates these two approaches. The utility of the suggested principle is outlined for applications in machine perception.