Mechanistic explanation,cognitive systems demarcation,and extended cognition |
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Authors: | Dingmar van Eck Huib Looren de Jong |
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Affiliation: | 1. Ghent University, Department of Philosophy and Moral Science, Blandijnberg 2, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium;2. Free University, Department of Philosophy, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands;1. The Pennsylvania State University, IST Building, University Park, PA 16803 USA;2. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN USA;3. Arizona State University, The Polytechnic School, Mesa, AZ USA;1. CLCbio, Finlandsgade 10-12, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark;2. Dept. of Mathematics, University of Almería, La Cañada de San Urbano s/n, 04120 Almería, Spain;3. Dept. of Computing Systems, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Campus Universitario s/n, 02071 Albacete, Spain |
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Abstract: | Approaches to the Internalism–Externalism controversy in the philosophy of mind often involve both (broadly) metaphysical and explanatory considerations. Whereas originally most emphasis seems to have been placed on metaphysical concerns, recently the explanation angle is getting more attention. Explanatory considerations promise to offer more neutral grounds for cognitive systems demarcation than (broadly) metaphysical ones. However, it has been argued that explanation-based approaches are incapable of determining the plausibility of internalist-based conceptions of cognition vis-à-vis externalist ones. On this perspective, improved metaphysics is the route along which to solve the Internalist–Externalist stalemate. In this paper we challenge this claim. Although we agree that explanation-orientated approaches have indeed so far failed to deliver solid means for cognitive system demarcation, we elaborate a more promising explanation-oriented framework to address this issue. We argue that the mutual manipulability account of constitutive relevance in mechanisms, extended with the criterion of ‘fat-handedness’, is capable of plausibly addressing the cognitive systems demarcation problem, and thus able to decide on the explanatory traction of Internalist vs. Externalist conceptions, on a case-by-case basis. Our analysis also highlights why some other recent mechanistic takes on the problem of cognitive systems demarcation have been unsuccessful. We illustrate our claims with a case on gestures and learning. |
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Keywords: | Mechanistic explanation Extended cognition Cognitive systems demarcation Internalism Externalism |
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