Perceptual-learning systems as conservative structures: is economy an attractor?

It is discussed whether information-processing or connectionist models might explain the law of Prägnanz under constraints resulting from a physical interpretation of these models. An information-processing approach is contrasted with thermodynamics and, finally, an alternative approach more directly inspired by Gestalt is discussed. It is argued that this model could be physically realized with relatively moderate requirements on the substrate in terms of information-processing resources.