Cognitive model

In cognition, a model is a simplified representation of reality.

The essential quality of a model is to help deciding the appropriate actions, i.e. the actions ensuring that a given goal is reached.

For living organisms, the ultimate goal is survival.

The paradox of models is the following: "The better, the more false". If several models allow to reach the same goal, the one which is simplest, i.e. which rejects the most aspects of reality is preferred.