Extended Mind and Patriarchy: Cognitive Interpretation of the Reproduction of Patriarchal System
Filip Pierzchalski, Mariangela D’Ambrosio
Teoria Polityki December 4, 2024 DOI: 10.4467/25440845tp.24.013.20709 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that the extended mind hypothesis, which treats environmental and social exostructures as constitutive of cognition, can explain how patriarchy is reproduced: cultural transmission gradually shapes an androcentrically oriented mentality, including perception and introspection, in both men and women, thereby spreading patriarchal models of femininity and masculinity and phallogocentric thinking through society. |
Abstract
The aim of the article is to analyze the patriarchal system in the light of the cognitive concept of the extended mind. The extended mind hypothesis fits in the externalist definition of the mind, where environmental and social factors (exostructures) are valued in explaining complex mental and cognitive processes – subjective experience in general. In this scientific interpretation, the reproduction of patriarchy can be reduced to the individual reproduction of a specific type of mentality, more precisely, the androcentrically shaped intentionality of participants in collective life. In other words, male and female mentality – including perceptual and introspective awareness – are gradually dependent on a complex and multi-level mechanism of cultural transmission. A process that in this case should be perceived as a key factor in promoting patriarchal models of femininity/masculinity, which is directly related to the dissemination of phallogocentric thinking, attitudes, behaviors, etc. in society.