4E cognition names a group of theories in the philosophy of cognitive science that challenge the traditional view of the mind as something that happens only inside the brain. The four Es stand for embodied, meaning a brain is found in and vitally interconnected with a larger physical body; embedded, the limitations the external environment and the laws of nature place on that body; extended, the claim that the mind is supplemented and even enhanced by things outside it such as writing or a calculator; and enactive, the argument that without dynamic processes, actions that require reactions, the mind would be ineffectual. The four Es are treated as compounding extensions of cognition, each requiring the dynamic actions and reactions of a body that is in turn part of an environment which both limits it and allows for these extensions.
Facts
Core ClaimCognition is not confined to processes happening only inside the brain; it depends on the dynamic interaction of an embodied, embedded, extended and enactive agent with its environment. 1 Origin YearWikipedia's own History section calls the term hard to trace to a first use; one account credits Shaun Gallagher's 2007 4E cognition conference, another places an earlier use in 2006 at a Cardiff University embodied-mind workshop Gallagher attended. FAQs
Who first used the term 4E cognition?
The origin of the term is uncertain; sources point to 2006 or 2007 and to Shaun Gallagher.
The first use of the term is hard to trace. Some sources attribute it to the philosopher Shaun Gallagher and a conference on 4E cognition that he organised in 2007, while others say it was first used in 2006 at an Embodied Mind workshop at Cardiff University that Gallagher attended.
Connections
Associated With
Source 4E Cognition (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. 4E Cognition (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationHistory section, first sentence
some sources attribute it to Shaun Gallagher and the conference on 4E cognition he organised in 2007
Opening paragraph, first sentence
4E cognition refers to a group of theories in (the philosophy of) cognitive science that challenge traditional views of the mind as something that happens only inside the brain.
Associated With: Embodied Cognition, History section, embodiment bridge sentence
Embodiment or embodied cognition arguably presents the bridge between cognitivism and 4E cognition
In Group: Embodied, Situated and Distributed Cognition Theories, Lead
4E cognition refers to a group of theories in (the philosophy of) cognitive science that challenge traditional views of the mind as something that happens only inside the brain.
View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.