Extending the extended mind: the case for extended affectivity
May 1, 2015 G. Colombetti, Tom Roberts
The thesis of the extended mind (ExM) argues that mental states and processes are not limited to the brain or body; under the right conditions, material artifacts can become part of a person's mind. This paper extends ExM to affective phenomena, such as emotions, moods, sentiments, temperaments, and character traits. The authors argue that if ExM is accepted for cognitive states like beliefs and planning, it should also apply to affective states. They clarify the core commitments of ExM and examine how dispositional and occurrent emotions can be supported by external objects and tools, concluding that the vehicles of affectivity can extend beyond biological boundaries.