Ways of mind-extending. A map to navigate the extended mind
Rivista Internazionale di Filosofia e Psicologia December 1, 2025 DOI: 10.4453/rifp.2025.0013 (opens in new tab) via DOAJ
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe article maps the main philosophical positions on the Extended Mind Thesis, which asks whether cognition extends beyond the brain into the external environment. It critically analyzes first-wave arguments based on the functional parity principle, then examines second-wave arguments emphasizing complementarity and integration of cognitive resources, and finally explores third-wave arguments that extend the debate toward the social dimension of mind and cognition.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Extended mind Cognitive integration Situated cognition Collective mind Scaffolded mind |
| Key finding | Proposes that the Extended Mind Thesis has evolved through three waves of argument, from functional parity to complementarity and integration, and finally to a social dimension of cognition. |
Abstract
In the contemporary debate in philosophy of mind a major problem has recently emerged about the nature of cognition: do we think just by means of our brain or, rather, our cognition extends outside of the skull? If so, what would “cognition” be? This article aims to focus on this question and to offer a map of the main positions about the Extended Mind Thesis. It firstly offers an introduction to the central problem and a crit-ical analysis of the “first-wave” arguments, based on the functional parity principle. Then, the article focuses on the “second-wave” arguments, based on complementarity and integration of cognitive resources. Finally, the article focuses on the “third-wave” arguments, that is, the most recent developments of this debate towards a social dimension of mind and cognition.