Pattern-Recognition: a Foundational Approach

This paper aims at giving a contribution to the ongoing attempt to turn the theory of pattern-recognition into a rigorous science. In this article we address two problems which lie at the foundations of pattern-recognition theory: (i) What is a pattern? and (ii) How do we come to know patterns? In so doing much attention will be paid to tracing a non-arbitrary connection between (i) and (ii), a connection which will be ultimately based on considerations relating to Darwin's theory of evolution.