The Extended Mind

Abstract

Where does the mind stop and the rest of the world begin? The question invites two standard replies. Some accept the intuitive demarcations of skin and skull, and say that what is outside the body is outside the mind. Others are impressed by arguments suggesting that the meaning of our words "just ain't in the head", and hold that this externalism about meaning carries over into an externalism about mind. We propose to pursue a third position. We will advocate an externalism about mind, but one that is in no way grounded in the debatable role of external reference in fixing the contents of our mental states. Rather, we advocate an *active externalism*, based on the active role of the environment in driving cognitive processes.

Commentary/Response Threads

• Clark, Andy and Chalmers, David J. The Extended Mind. (deposited 15 Jun 1998) [Currently Displayed]
  • Fulda, Joseph S. "The Extended Mind"--Extended. (deposited 12 Nov 2000)