The Extended Mind
The Extended Mind
This chapter focuses on the concept of the extended mind as compared to the externalism of meaning; some argue that the meaning of words does not only reside within the mind in opposition to those who argue that what is outside the body is also outside the mind. A third argument is proposed in this chapter in the form of “active externalism,” which is based on the active role of the environment in driving cognitive processes. The causal coupling presupposed by active externalism posits that the components in a coupled system play an active causal role, governing behavior in the same manner as cognition does. Some have argued that these components do not necessarily play a causal role even if the externality of content or meaning is assumed. This argument, and similar others, are discussed in detail in this chapter.
Keywords: extended mind, externalism of meaning, active externalism, causal coupling, coupled system, causal role, externality of content
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