Neuroscience Meets Transdisciplinary Challenges: Introducing the 3E Perspective to Cognition for Applied Human Neuroscience

Abstract

The present article advocates for the incorporation of philosophical tools in human neuroscience, aiming to develop transdisciplinary applications that address real-world problems. This is, considering that the 21st century -characterized by remarkable scientific advancements and formidable global challenges like climate crisis and pandemics- needs a holistic approach for applied human neuroscience. For example, traditional educational models, particularly STEM, often overlook the importance of integrating arts, humanities, and social sciences, leading to reductionist perspectives in both learning and decision-making about education. This trend extends to neuroscience, where essential concepts like ontology and epistemology are often underemphasized, hindering a comprehensive understanding of reality and knowledge.Thus, we introduce the 3E (Embodied, Enactive, and Environmentally Scaffolded) Perspective to Cognition for Applied Human Neuroscience as a pragmatic adaptation of the more complex 4E-Cognition perspective. We criticize the insufficient integration of the 4E perspective in mainstream neuroscience and applied sciences, discussing its relation to the dominant biomedical and bio-psycho-social models. We introduce the streamlined 3E perspective, which merges the Embedded and Extended aspects of the 4E perspective into a unified Environmental Scaffolding principle. Using education and medical science research, we exemplify the potential of the 3E perspective in enriching our understanding of human neuroscience research and its applications. The 3E perspective facilitates a more nuanced comprehension of cognitive processes and enables the creation of solutions for contemporary challenges. By fostering this integrated perspective, we can better equip professionals and decision-makers to navigate and address the complex issues of our time.