Since its introduction, multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA), or ‘neural decoding’, has transformed the field of cognitive neuroscience. Underlying its influence is a crucial inference, which we call the decoder’s dictum: if information can be decoded from patterns of neural activity, then this provides strong evidence about what information those patterns represent. Although the dictum is a widely held and well-motivated principle in decoding research, it has received scant philosophical attention. We critically evaluate the dictum, arguing that it is false: decodability is a poor guide for revealing the content of neural representations. However, we also suggest how the dictum can be improved on, in order to better justify inferences about neural representation using MVPA. 1. Introduction2. A Brief Primer on Neural Decoding: Methods, Application, and Interpretation 2.1. What is multivariate pattern analysis?2.2. The informational benefits of multivariate pattern analysis3. Why the Decoder’s Dictum Is False 3.1. We don’t know what information is decoded3.2. The theoretical basis for the dictum3.3. Undermining the theoretical basis4. Objections and Replies 4.1. Does anyone really believe the dictum?4.2. Good decoding is not enough4.3. Predicting behaviour is not enough5. Moving beyond the Dictum6. Conclusion Introduction A Brief Primer on Neural Decoding: Methods, Application, and Interpretation 2.1. What is multivariate pattern analysis?2.2. The informational benefits of multivariate pattern analysis What is multivariate pattern analysis? The informational benefits of multivariate pattern analysis Why the Decoder’s Dictum Is False 3.1. We don’t know what information is decoded3.2. The theoretical basis for the dictum3.3. Undermining the theoretical basis We don’t know what information is decoded The theoretical basis for the dictum Undermining the theoretical basis Objections and Replies 4.1. Does anyone really believe the dictum?4.2. Good decoding is not enough4.3. Predicting behaviour is not enough Does anyone really believe the dictum? Good decoding is not enough Predicting behaviour is not enough Moving beyond the Dictum Conclusion

中文翻译：

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解码大脑：认知神经科学中的神经表征和多元模式分析的局限性

自推出以来，多元模式分析 (MVPA) 或“神经解码”已经改变了认知神经科学领域。其影响的基础是一个关键的推理，我们称之为解码器的格言：如果信息可以从神经活动的模式中解码出来，那么这就为这些模式代表什么信息提供了强有力的证据。尽管格言在解码研究中是一个被广泛接受且动机良好的原则，但它很少受到哲学上的关注。我们批判性地评估了这一格言，认为它是错误的：可解码性对于揭示神经表征的内容来说是一个糟糕的指南。然而，我们还建议如何改进该格言，以便更好地证明使用 MVPA 进行神经表征的推断是正确的。1. 介绍 2. 神经解码简介：方法、应用、和解释 2.1。什么是多元模式分析？ 2.2．多元模式分析的信息优势3。为什么解码器的格言是错误的 3.1。我们不知道解码了哪些信息3.2。dictum3.3的理论基础。破坏理论基础 4．反对和答复 4.1。有没有人真的相信格言？ 4.2。好的解码是不够的4.3。预测行为是不够的5。超越 Dictum6。结论 介绍 神经解码的简要入门：方法、应用和解释 2.1。什么是多元模式分析？ 2.2．多元模式分析的信息优势 什么是多元模式分析？多元模式分析的信息优势 为什么解码器的格言是错误的 3.1。我们不知道解码了哪些信息3.2。dictum3.3的理论基础。破坏理论基础 我们不知道解码的是什么信息 格言的理论基础 破坏理论基础 异议和答复 4.1．有没有人真的相信格言？ 4.2。好的解码是不够的4.3。预测行为是不够的 有人真的相信格言吗？良好的解码是不够的 预测行为是不够的 超越格言 结论 预测行为是不够的 有人真的相信格言吗？良好的解码是不够的 预测行为是不够的 超越格言 结论 预测行为是不够的 有人真的相信格言吗？良好的解码是不够的 预测行为是不够的 超越格言 结论