Extended Cognition: Feedback Loops and Coupled Systems
Interdisciplinary Description of Complex Systems December 28, 2017 DOI: 10.7906/indecs.15.4.5 (opens in new tab) via DOAJ
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe article distinguishes between passive and active externalism, analyzing Clark and Chalmers' active externalism based on the parity principle. Two main obstacles—the causal-constitution fallacy and cognitive bloat—threaten the extended cognition hypothesis. A second wave of discussion, grounded in the complementarity principle, addresses cognitive systems with feedback loops between internal and external elements, representing a more radical departure from functionalism and traditional views of cognition. The author concludes with remarks on potential ethical considerations of extended cognition.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Extended mind Extended cognition Principle of complementarity Coupled systems |
| Key finding | Argues that the second wave of active externalism, based on complementarity, offers a more radical departure from functionalism than the parity-based approach. |
Abstract
The article explores two waves of active externalism. I first introduce the distinction between passive and active externalism and analyse a proposal of active externalism based on the principle of parity proposed by Clark and Chalmers. There are two main obstacles, causal-constitution fallacy and cognitive bloat, that threaten the extended cognition hypothesis. The second wave of discussions based on the complementarity principle deals with cognitive systems with feedback loops between internal and external elements and is a more radical departure from functionalism and traditional thinking about cognition. I conclude with some remarks on potential ethical considerations of extended cognition.