Supersizing Narrative Theory: On Intention, Material Agency, and Extended Mind-Workers
Style September 1, 2014 M. Bernini
The human mind extends into the world when coupled with external cognitive tools like computers or material symbols such as language. This article applies the extended mind theory to the problem of literary intentions by relating the theory's key principles to the act of narrative worldmaking. The author suggests that extended mind theory entails a reconsideration of the concept of authorial intentions by providing a distributed account of agency during the writing activity. The essay elaborates on the implications of this reappraisal for literary interpretation.