Mind Back to Life
Revista Colombiana de Filosofía de la Ciencia April 18, 2026 DOI: 10.18270/rcfc.4705 (opens in new tab) via DOAJ
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe computationalist paradigm in cognitive science, known as cognitivism, has dominated the field and obscured alternative approaches such as those from the Cognition 4E school. This work analyzes cognitivism's conceptual assumptions and criticizes two central tenets: representationalism and functionalism. It then offers a philosophical justification for enactivism, outlining its theoretical foundations and methodological implications as a promising direction within cognitive sciences.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Cognitive sciences Cognitivism Representationalism Functionalism Enactivism |
| Key finding | Argues that cognitivism's dominance has hindered alternative paradigms and that enactivism offers a promising path for cognitive science. |
Abstract
The computationalist paradigm in cognitive science, currently known as cognitivism, has exerted a philosophical and empirical dominance that has hindered the visibility and contemplation of contemporary alternative paradigms such as those proposed by the Cognition 4E school. To encourage the exploration of these new theoretical currents, this work aims to analyze the conceptual assumptions of cognitivism and to criticize two of its central tenets (representationalism and functionalism). In this way we hope to obtain a philosophical justification of enactivism, its theoretical foundations and methodological implications as a promising path within the cognitive sciences.